The Supreme Court has directed the removal of stray dogs from key public spaces, including schools, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations, and sports complexes all over India.
Following a recent Supreme Court verdict, local authorities across India have begun rounding up stray dogs and dumping them in isolated places without food, water, or care. These helpless animals are being treated cruelly, as if their lives have no value.
The Supreme Court on November 7 ruled that stray dogs will no longer be allowed on the premises of schools, hospitals, transport hubs or sports complexes, and directed that they be removed and relocated to shelters after sterilisation and vaccination.
The order, aimed at preventing dog attacks and improving safety in public spaces, has drawn sharp criticism from animal rights groups, who called it “impractical, inhumane, and contrary to national animal welfare law.”
Activists said the ruling violates the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, which require sterilised and vaccinated dogs to be released back to the same area they were picked up from.
“Dogs living on school or railway premises cannot be relocated—it’s their home. The ABC Rules are clear that every dog must be sterilised, vaccinated, and released back. Making exceptions undermines the very basis of animal rights,” said independent activist Sonyaa Khanna.
Activists warned that the order could worsen the problem. there are not enough shelters, and there’s no clarity on how new dogs will be kept out of cleared areas. Chasing them away only makes them aggressive. And if the dogs that are known by the people of the community will be kept away from their home will brings new unknown dogs in those places. This means that the safety of the people will be attacked. This is not a solution. It will produce a bigger problem.
Where will they go? There are no shelters, and even if they are built, who will fund them?
The only solution is to focus on proper implementation of the ABC programme instead.
At Delhi University’s Kirori Mal College, students expressed dismay at the order. “Our students love the campus dogs, so we took the most practical step—vaccinating them to keep everyone safe. The Supreme Court’s proposal feels impractical and impossible to enforce,” said principal Dinesh Khattar.
If ABC programmes are implemented properly and people are educated, measures like this won’t be needed.
In India stray dogs have lived alongside the people for generations and it’s crazy that a nation known for compassion and spirituality is allowing such inhuman acts.
People all other the country is protesting against the new order of the supreme court.
