Supreme Court Orders Stray Dog Removal

Supreme Court Orders Removal of Stray Dogs Nationwide

Why in the News ?

The Supreme Court of India directed all states and Union Territories to remove stray dogs from public areas like schools, hospitals, and transport hubs within two weeks, citing rising dog-bite incidents and prioritising public safety over existing Animal Birth Control (ABC) 2023 norms.

Supreme Court Orders Stray Dog Removal

Court’s Directive and Timeline:

  • The Supreme Court ordered removal of stray dogs from educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus depots, and railway stations.
  • The order mandates removal within two weeks and securing of premises within eight weeks to prevent re-entry.
  • The bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria delivered the directive.
  • The court emphasized public safety, stating that allowing dogs to return post-sterilisation defeats the purpose of securing institutional spaces.
  • It described the surge in dog-bite incidents as a “matter of human safety concern.”

Structural Gaps and Implementation Challenges

  • Despite the Animal Birth Control (ABC) framework, outcomes remain suboptimal due to poor sterilisation coverage and inadequate waste management.
  • Municipal bodies face challenges in creating sufficient shelters to house removed animals.
  • Perimeter control and public awareness about responsible waste disposal remain weak links.
  • The court criticised municipal failures and termed the recurring incidents as signs of “systemic failure.”
  • Animal rights groups argue that the order is impractical, citing lack of shelters and the difficulty of relocating stray populations

About Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules 2023:

●      The ABC Rules, 2023, framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, guide stray dog population management through sterilisation and vaccination.

●      The rules mandate returning sterilised dogs to their original location post-procedure, aligning with humane treatment principles.

●      Local authorities are responsible for funding, maintaining shelters, and ensuring medical care.

●      The rules aim to balance animal welfare with public safety and disease control, particularly against rabies.

●      The SC’s latest directive diverges from this policy, prioritising human safety over rehabilitation rights of animals.