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Supreme Court Orders Removal of Stray Dogs from Bus Stands & Railway Stations

Supreme Court Orders Removal of Stray Dogs from Bus Stands & Railway Stations

IN SHORTThe Supreme Court of India has issued a nationwide directive requiring municipal authorities to remove stray dogs from locations such as bus stands, railway stations, hospitals and sports complexes within eight weeks. The order mandates sterilisation of dogs prior to relocation and regular inspections of premises. Animal rights activists argue the move contradicts the Animal Birth Control Rules and raise concerns over feasibility and animal welfare.

TL;DR

  • A bench of the Supreme Court directed local municipalities to carry out inspections of public transport hubs, hospitals and schools to identify stray dog presence.
  • The order requires dogs to be sterilised, vaccinated and relocated to shelters rather than rounded up without health checks.
  • Municipalities are given an eight-week deadline to comply and report status; failure may trigger monitoring by central authorities.
  • Activists claim the decision overlooks ABC rules (2023) which favour sterilise-vaccinate-return model instead of relocation.
  • Concerns were raised about insufficient shelter infrastructure, under-staffed facilities and potential stress to long-established dog populations.
  • The case has ignited nationwide debate over public safety, animal rights and municipal capacity in India’s urban spaces.