SC Clarifies Stray Dog Orders

Removal applies only to hospitals and institutional zones

January 8, 2026: The Supreme Court resumed hearings on petitions related to stray dog management and clarified that its earlier orders were misinterpreted. The bench said it never directed removal of all stray dogs from public spaces and stressed that the Animal Birth Control Rules remain the guiding framework for humane management.

The court made it clear that removal directives apply only to institutional and sensitive areas such as hospitals. Emphasising patient safety the judges questioned the presence of dogs in hospital wards and underlined the need for better enforcement rather than new regulations.

Senior advocates told the court the issue extends beyond dogs and involves ecological balance. They warned that blanket removal could trigger a rise in rodents and other risks. The bench said safety in hospitals must be ensured while maintaining balance between animal welfare and public health.