New Delhi: The Supreme Court, November 7, 2025, issued sweeping directives to protect public spaces from the rising threat of stray dogs and to clear highways of stray cattle and other animals, aiming to ensure safer roads and urban areas across the country.
A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria heard the suo motu case on stray dog management.
The court ordered that all schools, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands, and railway stations must be properly fenced.
This measure aims to stop stray dogs from entering these public places.
The Bench instructed local municipal bodies to conduct regular animal pick-up drives.They must shift the animals to designated shelters after vaccination and sterilisation. The process should follow the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, strictly.
The Supreme Court clarified that removed dogs cannot return to the same premises. It also directed periodic inspections to ensure no stray dog habitats develop in these areas. Authorities must maintain safety standards at all times.
The Bench further ordered the immediate removal of stray cattle and other animals from highways. Officials must transfer these animals to designated shelters without delay.The court emphasised swift action to prevent accidents and maintain road safety.
Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories must ensure strict compliance. They must report mechanisms and progress within eight weeks to the Supreme Court. The court warned that officers failing to follow orders will face personal accountability.
Earlier, the Supreme Court expressed disappointment over states’ lapses in enforcing ABC Rules. The Bench highlighted that stray animals create public safety risks and damage India’s international image. It noted that repeated incidents show the country negatively in global media.