Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the state will remove stray dogs from crowded public areas
May 22, 2026: Bhagwant Mann on Friday announced that the Punjab government would begin removing stray dogs from areas with heavy public movement following a recent Supreme Court of India order. Mann said the government’s priority was to ensure the safety of children, senior citizens and families while also creating proper shelters for stray animals across the state.
In a statement shared on social media, the Chief Minister said the state would fully implement the Supreme Court’s May 19 order, which for the first time allowed euthanasia for stray dogs that are rabid, incurably ill, or proven to be dangerous and aggressive. Mann added that the government would use “legally permissible measures,” including euthanasia, strictly under the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.
The Supreme Court ruling came in response to increasing incidents of stray dog attacks and rabies cases across the country, especially involving children. The court observed that the right to live with dignity includes the right to move freely without fear of harm from dangerous animals. Following the verdict, Punjab has now launched a statewide campaign targeting stray and aggressive dogs that may pose a threat to public safety.