SC Orders Removal of Stray Dogs From Education Centres, Hospitals, Railway Stations; Orders Fencing Of Institutions

The Supreme Court on Friday directed that stray dogs be removed from the premises of educational institutions, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations, and other public places. The apex court instructed authorities to relocate them to designated dog shelters after sterilisation to ensure public safety and hygiene.A three-judge special bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria passed a slew of directions during a hearing on the stray dogs case. The bench directed the authorities to prevent the ingress of stray dogs into the premises of government and private educational institutions and hospitals, etc., to prevent dog bite incidents and ordered adequate fencing of these institutions within 8 weeks to ensure that they

don't enter again. Nodal officers will be appointed to ensure implementation.Further, the bench asked authorities to ensure removal of cattle and other stray animals from highways and expressways and their relocation to designated shelters. The top court ordered the authorities, including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), to undertake a joint drive to identify stretches of highways where stray animals are frequently found.On November 3, the apex court said it will pass interim directions to tackle the issue of "grave menace" of dog bites in institutional areas, where employees feed and encourage stray dogs.The matter has been slated for further hearing on January 13.(This is a developing story)