SC order on strays: TN to file status

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Monday directed the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry governments to file a detailed report on the measures taken to implement the Supreme Court's directions regarding the removal of stray dogs from public places.

A bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan directed the authorities to submit the report, ordering that priority be given to educational institutions and hospitals.

On May 19, 2026, the Supreme Court upheld an Animal Welfare Board SOP expanding the scope of institutional premises and urged High Courts to take up suo motu PILs to monitor the implementation of its directions.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria had taken note of a news report titled, "In just four months of 2026, Tamil Nadu records 2.63 lakh dog bites, 17 deaths," and expressed shock over the 6.25 lakh dog-bite cases and 34 deaths reported in the State in 2025.

The apex court ruled that sterilised stray dogs picked up from educational institutions, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations and other public places do not have an absolute right to be released at the same location and should instead be shifted to animal shelters.

HC takes up matter suo motu

The case was taken up suo motu by a division bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan following directions issued by the Supreme Court.

The bench adjourned the hearing after directing both governments to submit a status report within four weeks.

SC flags rise in dog bite cases

Hearing a batch of petitions on public safety from stray dog attacks, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court had recently observed that media reports indicated that 2.63 lakh people were bitten by stray dogs in Tamil Nadu during the first four months of 2026 and that 17 deaths had been reported.

The apex court had issued a series of directions to address the issue and asked all High Courts to monitor their implementation.

Key directions issued by Supreme Court

The Supreme Court directed that stray dogs caught for sterilisation near educational institutions, hospitals, bus stands and railway stations should not be released back into the same areas and instead be shifted to designated care centres.

It also ordered state governments to establish adequate animal birth control centres in all districts and ensure sufficient deployment of veterinarians and support staff at vaccination centres.

The court further directed authorities to remove stray dogs from educational institutions, hospitals, bus terminals and railway stations to safeguard public safety.

Focus on educational institutions

During the hearing, the Madras High Court emphasised that educational institutions should be given priority while implementing the measures and asked the state governments to ensure immediate action in areas frequented by students and the public.