Supreme Court Issues Landmark Directive on Stray Dogs: Sensitive Zones Must Be Cleared Within 8 Weeks
Amid growing national debate over stray dog safety, the Supreme Court of India has issued a major directive mandating the removal of stray dogs from sensitive public areas. On Friday, the apex court ordered that locations such as educational institutions, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations, and playgrounds must be made completely free of stray dogs.
According to the court’s ruling, local authorities must relocate these animals to designated shelters. The process must be completed within eight weeks. Importantly, the court emphasized that once dogs are removed from a particular area, they must not be returned there under any circumstances.
This directive comes in the wake of a disturbing incident in Delhi, where a young woman was attacked by a group of stray dogs on the street. Following the attack, she approached the Delhi High Court, claiming that the assault left not only physical injuries but also deep psychological trauma. She demanded ₹20 lakh in compensation from the municipal authorities, citing negligence.
The issue of stray dog attacks has sparked widespread concern across India, with citizens and civic bodies divided over animal rights and public safety. The Supreme Court’s latest order aims to strike a balance between humane treatment and the protection of vulnerable populations.
Notably, in 2023, Justice Vinod S. Bhardwaj of the Punjab and Haryana High Court had laid down compensation guidelines based on 193 similar cases. That ruling stated that victims of attacks by not just dogs, but also cows, bulls, donkeys, or any other stray animals, are entitled to compensation under similar provisions.
With the Supreme Court now stepping in, all eyes are on how state and municipal authorities implement these measures — and whether this sets a precedent for future animal-related public safety policies.
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