‘Roads must be freeof stray animals’: SC

Emphasising public safety, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said that roads must be kept free of dogs and other stray animals, observing that people were dying not only due to dog bites but also in accidents caused by animals roaming on roads.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria, while hearing pleas seeking modification of its earlier orders, flagged serious non-compliance by civic bodies and state authorities. The court said the matter was being heard afresh as several lawyers and animal activists claimed they were not heard before the November 7 order.
“The roads should be clear of dogs and stray animals. It is not only dog bites but also accidents caused by stray animals that are proving dangerous. Civic bodies must strictly implement rules, modules and directions,” the bench observed.
Justice Mehta described the issue as serious, pointing out that two Rajasthan High Court judges had suffered accidents due to stray animals in recent weeks, with one still battling spinal injuries.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for petitioners seeking modification, argued that indiscriminate removal of dogs was not the solution and suggested adoption of the globally accepted CSVR (Capture, Sterilise, Vaccinate and Release) model to gradually reduce stray dog populations. Justice Nath responded that prevention was better than cure, clarifying that the court had only directed removal of stray dogs from institutional areas and had not interfered with existing rules. The bench said its focus was strict enforcement of existing laws and standard operating procedures, warning that it would be “very harsh” on states failing to comply. It noted that several states had not filed compliance affidavits, while some submissions were found to be disappointing.
Amicus curiae Gaurav Agarwal informed the court that NHAI had prepared an SOP and identified around 1,400 km of vulnerable highway stretches, though implementation rests with state governments. The court suggested fencing highways and expressways to prevent animal intrusion.
The top court reiterated its November 7 directions mandating relocation of stray dogs from institutional areas such as schools, hospitals and railway stations after sterilisation and vaccination, and removal of cattle and other stray animals from highways. Hearings in the suo motu case on stray dog attacks will continue.