The Supreme Court on Friday (November 7, 2025 )directed all States and Union Territories to “forthwith”get rid of roaming canines from the properties of universities, healthcare facilities, sports complexes, bus stands and depots, and train stations, and transfer them “to a designated shelter” after due sterilisation and vaccination in accordance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Revealing issue over the “troubling boost” in dog-bite events throughout the nation, a Bench consisting of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria directed that roaming dogs got from such properties will not be launched back into the very same area.
“We have actually knowingly directed the non-release of such roaming canines to the exact same area from which they were gotten, as allowing the very same would irritate the very impact of the instructions released to free such institutional locations from the existence of roaming pets,” the Bench stated.
The instructions were provided in the peak court’ssuo motuprocedures focused on framing a nationwide structure for roaming canine management and guaranteeing compliance with existing statutory guidelines.
Putting the duty of execution on regional bodies, the court directed the particular jurisdictional local authorities to guarantee the instant elimination of roaming pet dogs and to send compliance reports within 8 weeks, particularly detailing the therapeutic procedures carried out to protect adherence to the court’s instructions. The matter will be used up once again on January 13, 2026.
‘Lapses to be seen seriously’
All regional self-government organizations have actually likewise been directed to make sure that the properties of such facilities are effectively protected with fencing, border walls, and gates to avoid the ingress of roaming animals. This will be preceded by a study performed by State federal governments, to be finished within 2 weeks, determining all federal government and personal universities from where roaming dogs need to be eliminated.
The Bench likewise mandated that each organization designate a nodal officer for maintenance and monitoring of each such properties. It has actually likewise purchased the conduct of routine assessments a minimum of as soon as every 3 months, to guarantee that no roaming dogs exist within or in the instant area of such organizations.
“Any lapse in this regard will be seen seriously, and obligation will be repaired upon the worried officials/administrative authorities,” the Bench warned.
The Bench on Friday likewise handled record the report submitted by senior supporter Gaurav Agrawal, who is helping the Bench asamicus curiaeAgrawal had actually flagged “a number of serious shortages and imperfections” in the execution of the court’s earlier instructions, especially with regard to compliance with its August 22 order allowing the release of sterilised canines back into their areas in accordance with the ABC Rules, other than in cases including wild or aggressive animals.
The August 22 order had actually customized an earlier instructions released by a two-judge Bench, which had actually advised civic authorities in Delhi and 4 adjacent districts to record all roaming pet dogs and keep them restricted in shelters. The Bench led by Justice Vikram Nath had actually discovered such an outright limitation “too severe,” observing that it would run contrary to Rule 11( 19) of the ABC Rules, which permits sterilised and immunized canines to be launched back into their initial areas.
With its newest instructions, nevertheless, the Bench has actually taken a particular exception for public areas with high tramps while stressing that the “main goal” should be to protect the people’ basic right to life and security.
The Bench even more directed that all federal government and personal medical facilities preserve a consistent stock of anti-rabies vaccines. It likewise mandated the adoption of reliable waste-management systems to get rid of food sources that bring in roaming animals.
Furthermore, the Animal Welfare Board of India, which is a celebration to the procedures, was advised to frame extensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the avoidance of pet dog bites and the management of roaming canines within institutional properties. These SOPs, the court stated, should be evenly executed throughout all States and Union Territories.
‘Remove livestock from highways’
Especially, the Bench likewise acknowledged that mishaps including livestock and other roaming animals on public roadways and highways have actually ended up being “amazingly regular.” It, for that reason, directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and all transportation and community authorities to make sure the elimination of livestock and other roaming animals from the highways.
The court directed that all such animals be transferred to appropriate shelters,gaushalasor livestock pounds, where they are to be offered sufficient food, water, and veterinary care. It even more advised the authorities to develop devoted highway patrol systems to keep constant security. These patrols, the court stated, need to work round the clock and show helpline numbers plainly along highways to make it possible for commuters to without delay report the existence of roaming animals or mishaps brought on by them.
“The Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories, together with the Chairperson, NHAI, will guarantee stringent enforcement of these instructions through proper administrative orders and field-level tracking. They will hold the worried officers personally responsible for lapses or repeating occurrences in their particular jurisdictions,” the Bench bought.
Thesuo motuprocedures came from installing public issue over a wave of dog-bite events, consisting of the death of a six-year-old lady, which had actually triggered an earlier order by a Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan requiring the mass capture of roaming canines throughout Delhi and neighbouring districts without release.
The instruction drew sharp criticism from animal well-being groups, which alerted that the step would amount to ruthlessness and contravene statutory requireds. Consequently, in an unusual administrative action, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai withdrew the matter from Justice Pardiwala’s Bench and reassigned it to a three-judge Bench headed by Justice Nath.
Released on November 7, 2025
