Supreme Court Orders Removal of Stray Dogs from Schools, Hospitals, Bus Stands
Date: November 7, 2025
The Supreme Court of India has directed that stray dogs be removed from schools, colleges, hospitals, bus stands, and other public areas. The court emphasized that fences should be installed to prevent dogs from entering these areas. Stray dogs caught will not be returned to their original location but placed in shelter homes.
The court highlighted that repeated dog bite incidents in institutional areas such as schools, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands, and railway stations indicate systemic failure, not just administrative negligence. All state and national highways must also be cleared of stray animals. Chief Secretaries of all states have been instructed to ensure strict compliance. A status report and affidavit are to be submitted within three weeks, with the next hearing scheduled for January 13, 2025.
Earlier Rajasthan High Court Order
Three months ago, the Rajasthan High Court issued a similar directive to remove stray animals from roads. FIRs were ordered against officials hindering action. The Supreme Court has now made the Rajasthan order applicable nationwide.
8 Key Points of the Supreme Court Order
- Helpline numbers must be installed to report stray animals on all national highways.
- Chief Secretaries of states must enforce the directives strictly.
- Status reports and affidavits must be submitted within three weeks.
- State governments and UTs must identify schools, colleges, and hospitals with stray animals within two weeks and install fences to block entry.
- Nodal officers will be appointed to maintain campuses and fences; municipal bodies must inspect at least once every three months.
- Stray dogs caught will not be returned to the place from which they were captured.
- Railway stations, bus depots, stadiums, and sports complexes must have 24x7 monitoring.
- Anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulins must be available in all government hospitals; AWBI to issue SOPs within four weeks.