The Supreme Court of India, in a recent hearing led by Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria, has directed the immediate removal of stray animals, including dogs, from highways and expressways across the country. The bench has mandated that states and union territories must comply strictly with this order and report their progress promptly.

The court's directive is threefold. First, States and UTs are required to submit comprehensive affidavits detailing the measures taken to address issues highlighted in the amicus report. Any negligence will be met with serious consequences. Secondly, the Supreme Court has upheld the Rajasthan High Court’s order instructing nodal officers in all states to ensure stray animals are removed from all national highways, roads, and expressways and to launch coordinated campaigns for this purpose. These animals, including cattle and livestock, will be treated humanely and provided necessary care.

The third order focuses on institutional safety, particularly concerning the rising cases of dog bites. State governments and Union Territories are directed to identify government premises such as district hospitals, sports complexes, and railway stations within two weeks and secure them adequately to prevent stray dog entry. This task must be completed within eight weeks, with designated nodal officers overseeing maintenance. Local municipal bodies are tasked with regular inspections, ensuring stray dogs are removed, sterilized, and relocated to shelters. Importantly, stray dogs must not be returned to the same area to ensure the order’s effectiveness.

This landmark judgment emphasizes strict compliance by Chief Secretaries nationwide and holds officials personally accountable for lapses, with a compliance report due within eight weeks, aiming to enhance highway safety and public health concerning stray animals.