New Delhi, Nov 7 (NationPress) The Supreme Court has issued a set of directives aimed at safeguarding vital public spaces from the increasing issue of stray dogs and ensuring that highways are cleared of stray cattle and other animals. Several advocates from the apex court expressed on Friday that the August 11 order "has resurfaced," labeling it as "harsh" and "alarming."

In a conversation with IANS, Supreme Court advocate Namita Sharma remarked: "The August 11 order has resurfaced. It closely resembles the earlier directive, albeit with some modifications. Stray dogs will now be removed from various institutions — including hospitals, schools, and bus terminals — and relocated. Officers will be designated to ensure they do not return. While this is a harsh order, I still hold some hope."

Advocate Vivek Sharma added: "The end result is that all these voiceless creatures will be displaced. A recent Goa court ruling clarified that, according to government records, there were merely 372 dog bites in the past three years; however, actual data reveals 37,387 bites. Today’s ruling is a revision of the previous order without considering any of the petitioners. It is unrealistic for the government to establish shelter homes. I can only hope that wisdom prevails with our judges, as animals are voiceless."

Supreme Court lawyer Sunil Lamba stated: "The Supreme Court has mandated that all stray dogs and cattle on national highways must be removed immediately. Responsibility has been assigned to the Public Works Department and municipal corporations to ensure their removal within eight weeks. The court has also indicated that nodal officers will be responsible for enforcing this order."

A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria, addressing the suo motu case regarding stray dog management nationwide, decreed that every educational institution, hospital, public sports complex, bus stand, and railway station must be adequately fenced to prevent stray dog access.

The bench, led by Justice Vikram Nath, instructed local municipal bodies to carry out regular pick-up operations from such locations and transfer the animals to designated shelters after mandatory vaccination and sterilization in accordance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023.

The apex court clarified that dogs removed from these public areas must not return to the same locations, further instructing regular inspections to ensure that no stray dog habitats develop within these premises.

The bench also ordered the prompt removal of stray cattle and other animals from highways, emphasizing that these animals must be moved to designated shelters without delay.

The court mandated: "Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories must ensure strict compliance with this directive. Failure to do so will result in personal accountability for officers." The apex court is also requesting compliance status reports within eight weeks outlining the measures implemented to fulfill these directives.

Previously, on August 22, the Supreme Court had modified its August 11 orders, clarifying that captured dogs must be sterilized, dewormed, vaccinated, and released back to their original localities unless they are rabid or exhibit aggressive behavior. The Court also prohibited public feeding of stray dogs on the streets, mandated the establishment of designated feeding areas, and stressed the necessity for a uniform national policy on stray dog management.