SC Order: Supreme Court Mandates Removal of Stray Dogs from Public Spaces Nationwide

The Supreme Court of India on Friday issued a significant directive, declaring that the Rajasthan High Court's ruling on stray animals will now be applicable across the entire nation. This comprehensive order mandates the removal of stray animals from all state and national highways, with a particular focus on addressing the menace of stray dogs in critical public areas such as hospitals, schools, and college campuses. The court emphasized the need for proactive measures, including fencing, to prevent their entry into these sensitive locations. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N. V. Anjaria heard the matter and laid down several crucial guidelines.

One of the most impactful directives states that captured stray dogs won't. Be released back to the exact location from where they were picked up. This aims to ensure a more permanent solution to the issue rather than merely relocating the problem. The court stressed that all Chief Secretaries of states and Union Territories are responsible for the strict implementation of these orders, while they've been given a deadline of three weeks to file a status report and an affidavit detailing the actions taken. The next hearing for this pivotal case is scheduled for January 13.

Background of the Case and Rajasthan High Court's Precedent

This matter gained momentum after the Rajasthan High Court, three months prior, had instructed responsible government agencies to clear stray animals from roads. The High Court had also warned of FIRs against those who obstructed such actions. The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of a media report on July 28, highlighting the alarming number of stray dog bites and rabies cases, especially among children in Delhi, while initially, the scope was limited to Delhi-NCR, but the Supreme Court later expanded it to cover all states and Union Territories, recognizing the widespread nature of the problem.

Measures for Public Safety and Animal Management

To enhance public safety and streamline animal management, the Supreme Court has outlined specific actions, while all National Highways will be required to establish helpline numbers for reporting the presence of stray animals. State governments and Union Territories are tasked with identifying government and private schools, colleges, and hospitals where stray animals and dogs roam, within two weeks. Following this identification, fencing must be installed to prevent their entry. On top of that, a nodal officer will be appointed for maintenance, and municipal corporations, municipalities, and panchayats. Are mandated to inspect these campuses at least once every three months to ensure compliance.

Previous Observations on Feeding Rules

On November 3, the Supreme Court had indicated its intention to issue guidelines for feeding dogs within government building campuses. While providing relief to Chief Secretaries from personal appearance in court, it had issued a stern warning that any failure in filing affidavits would necessitate their presence. This earlier observation underscores the court's holistic approach to managing stray animal populations, balancing public safety with animal welfare considerations. The current order builds upon these previous discussions, pushing for concrete, actionable steps across the country.