The Supreme Court of India took strong action on November 7, 2025, to tackle the rising problem of stray dogs causing bites across the country. The Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria issued a sharp order to all States and Union Territories to act "forthwith"—meaning immediately! They must remove stray dogs from sensitive places like schools, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands, depots, and railway stations. But here comes the twist – these dogs cannot just be released back where they were caught. The court said, "We have consciously directed the non-release of such stray dogs to the same location from which they were picked up, as permitting the same would frustrate the very effect of the directions issued to liberate such institutional areas from the presence of stray dogs." What next? Dogs have to be sterilized and vaccinated following the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, then moved safely to designated shelters. This is to protect citizens’ fundamental right to life and safety. The court did not just stop there! Local municipal bodies are now responsible for quickly acting on this order and must report back within eight weeks about the steps taken. The case will be reviewed again on January 13, 2026, so everyone better stay alert. Every educational and healthcare facility must be properly fenced or walled to prevent stray dogs from sneaking in. States have just two weeks to conduct surveys and find all institutions affected. Each place must also appoint a nodal officer to keep a watchful eye, and regular inspections must happen every three months. The court warned, "Any lapse in this regard shall be viewed seriously, and responsibility shall be fixed upon the concerned officials/administrative authorities." Senior advocate Gaurav Agrawal, acting as amicus curiae (friend of the court), reported "several grave deficiencies" in how earlier orders were followed, influencing the new, tougher guidelines. Hospitals must also keep anti-rabies vaccines ready all the time and improve waste management to stop stray dogs from getting food. The Animal Welfare Board of India has been asked to create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for dog bite prevention and stray dog management. These rules will apply to all States and UTs uniformly. But wait, the court also took care of another big problem: stray cattle on highways causing accidents! The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and municipal authorities must remove these cattle immediately to safe shelters, gaushalas, or cattle pounds where animals get good care. To watch over this continuously, new highway patrol units will work day and night. They will also display helpline numbers to quickly handle stray animal problems. The Bench gave a serious warning: "The Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories, together with the Chairperson, NHAI, shall ensure strict enforcement of these directions through appropriate administrative orders and field-level monitoring. They shall hold the concerned officers personally accountable for lapses or recurring incidents in their respective jurisdictions." This crackdown began after disturbing public outrages, including the tragic death of a six-year-old girl from a dog attack. Previous harsh orders to capture all stray dogs without release faced fierce protests from animal welfare groups saying it was cruelty. Then, Chief Justice BR Gavai stepped in, assigning the case to a three-judge Bench for a more balanced review. In short, the Supreme Court has drawn a clear red line: No more stray dogs roaming freely in crowded public places! A safer, cleaner, and more humane future for people and animals alike is now on the horizon.