In a significant move aimed at improving public safety, the Central Government has instructed all ministries and government departments to ensure that stray dogs are removed from institutional campuses across the country. The directive applies to schools, colleges, hospitals, railway stations, sports complexes, and other government-managed public facilities, with ministries required to demonstrate compliance by June 30, 2026.
The decision follows a series of Supreme Court directives issued over the past year in response to increasing concerns about stray dog attacks in public spaces, particularly those frequented by children, patients, senior citizens, and daily commuters.
Government Issues Comprehensive Safety Measures
Under the new instructions, ministries have been asked to implement a range of preventive measures designed to reduce the presence of stray dogs on their premises while improving overall campus safety.
Government institutions have been directed to strengthen physical barriers by installing or repairing boundary walls and fencing wherever necessary to prevent stray animals from entering. Authorities have also been instructed to improve waste management systems, as improperly disposed food waste remains one of the primary reasons stray dogs gather around public buildings.
Each campus must appoint a designated nodal officer whose contact information will be displayed prominently. This official will be responsible for responding promptly whenever stray dogs are spotted within the premises.
Additional safety measures have been tailored for different institutions. Hospitals must maintain an adequate stock of anti-rabies vaccines to ensure immediate treatment in case of emergencies. Schools have been advised to conduct awareness sessions that teach students how to behave safely around stray dogs and provide basic first-aid guidance for dog bite incidents. Busy public locations such as railway stations and sports complexes are expected to deploy dedicated personnel to monitor and prevent stray dog entry.
After implementation, the Ministry of Health will collect compliance reports from all ministries and compile a consolidated status report, which will be submitted to the courts by August.
Supreme Court Orders Triggered Nationwide Action
The government’s latest directive stems from a series of landmark Supreme Court orders addressing the growing issue of stray dog attacks across India.
The matter first gained national attention when the apex court took suo motu cognisance of increasing dog bite incidents, expressing concern over the safety of vulnerable groups, particularly children.
In August 2025, the Court initially directed authorities to remove stray dogs from Delhi and the National Capital Region. The decision drew objections from several animal welfare organizations, prompting the Court to refer the matter to a larger bench for further examination.
Rather than limiting the issue to the capital, the Court expanded its scope, extending its directions nationwide and consolidating similar cases that were pending before various High Courts.
The most important ruling came in November 2025, when the Court specifically addressed “institutional areas” including schools, colleges, hospitals, railway stations, bus terminals, and sports facilities. Observing a rise in dog bite incidents within these locations, the Court held that public authorities needed to take immediate action to ensure safer environments.
According to the Court’s directions, stray dogs found inside these institutional campuses must be captured, sterilised, vaccinated, and relocated in accordance with India’s Animal Birth Control Rules. However, unlike dogs found on ordinary public streets, animals removed from institutional campuses cannot be released back into the same locations. Instead, they must be transferred to designated shelters where they can be cared for without posing risks to public safety.
The Supreme Court also instructed the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to prepare a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlining how authorities should conduct sterilisation, vaccination, shelter management, and record-keeping. States and Union Territories were further directed to submit affidavits confirming their compliance with these guidelines.
Jaypee Greens Incident Highlighted Growing Concerns
Public concern over stray dog safety intensified following a series of incidents reported from Jaypee Greens, a residential township in Greater Noida.
In February 2026, CCTV footage showing a pack of stray dogs chasing a woman inside the township went viral on social media. The incident reignited debates over resident safety, with many locals claiming they had repeatedly raised concerns about aggressive stray dogs in the area.
The issue became even more serious in May 2026, when Sangeeta Sharma, a 63-year-old professor at Delhi University, was reportedly chased by several stray dogs near her residence. While attempting to escape, she fell and suffered serious injuries to her back. According to her family, the injuries were particularly severe because she already had pre-existing spinal and knee problems.
The incidents prompted widespread protests by residents, who demanded stricter enforcement of the Supreme Court’s directions. Residents claimed that the 465-acre township was home to more than 500 stray dogs, creating ongoing safety concerns for families, children, and elderly citizens.
Following the protests, local authorities announced plans to intensify sterilisation efforts and prepare a structured action plan for managing the stray dog population, while residents called for regular monitoring to ensure long-term implementation.
Balancing Public Safety and Animal Welfare
The government’s latest directive reflects an effort to balance public safety with humane animal management practices. Rather than authorising indiscriminate removal, the policy continues to require sterilisation, vaccination, and relocation under existing animal welfare regulations.
Officials believe that stronger waste management, better infrastructure, responsible institutional oversight, and coordinated implementation of the Supreme Court’s directions will help reduce human-animal conflicts while ensuring safer public spaces across the country.
As ministries work toward the June 30, 2026 deadline, the initiative marks one of India’s most comprehensive nationwide efforts to address stray dog management within government institutions while maintaining compliance with animal welfare laws.
