Remove stray dogs from public places, shift them to shelters: SC, Pg1.

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court ordered the immediate removal of stray dogs from public places like schools, hospitals, and railway stations.
• The court mandated that removed dogs be taken to designated shelters for sterilization and vaccination, and not be released back to their original locations.
• The order emphasizes uniform implementation across India, with compliance reports due in eight weeks.
• The court also directed authorities to remove stray cattle from highways and relocate them to shelters.
• State governments and Union Territories must identify vulnerable institutional areas within two weeks.
• The court will review compliance reports on January 13, 2026.

Detailed Insights:

• The Supreme Court highlighted the increasing frequency of dog-bite incidents, particularly in institutional areas, posing a threat to public safety and violating Article 21 of the Constitution.
• The court noted that despite the Animal Birth Control Rules, rabies-related mortality remains high in India, pointing to ineffective implementation of existing regulations.
• The bench cited an incident involving a foreign national being bitten by a stray dog in Bengaluru, emphasizing the issue's impact on the country's image and tourism.
• Educational institutions and hospitals must appoint nodal officers to ensure premises are free of stray dogs, with regular inspections by local authorities.
• Highway authorities are directed to form patrol teams for continuous surveillance and immediate response to reports of stray cattle obstructing roadways.
• The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Animal Birth Control Rules 2023 mandate proper care for sheltered animals, including food, water, and veterinary services.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Article 21: Guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, interpreted by the court to include the right to safety from preventable hazards.
• Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules: Government regulations aimed at controlling the population of stray animals through sterilization and vaccination.
• Sterilization: A surgical procedure performed on animals to prevent reproduction, a key component of animal birth control programs.