After SC Order, Centre Tells Ministries To Make Hospitals, Stations Stray Dog-Free | Exclusive
After SC Order, Centre Tells Ministries To Make Hospitals, Stations Stray Dog-Free | Exclusive Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: June 26, 2026, 15:03 IST
After SC Order, Centre Tells Ministries To Make Hospitals, Stations Stray Dog-Free | Exclusive Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: June 26, 2026, 15:03 IST The ministry said the primary objective is to safeguard the fundamental right to life and safety of citizens, particularly children, students, patients and sportspersons Rapid Read The compliance exercise follows the Supreme Court’s order that called for preventive and administrative measures to curb stray dog attacks in institutional campuses and improve public safety. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s directions on preventing stray dog attacks in public institutions, the Union Health Ministry has asked all central government ministries and departments to immediately review safety measures across educational institutions, hospitals, railway stations, sports complexes, bus terminals and other institutional campuses under their control. In an urgent communication sent to all ministries, the health ministry said it has been designated as the nodal ministry for filing a consolidated compliance affidavit on behalf of the Union government before various high courts. Ministries have been directed to submit state-wise compliance reports by June 30, 2026, enabling the Centre to file a comprehensive status report before the courts by August 7, 2026.
The ministry said the directions are aimed at ensuring that “the menace of stray dog attacks within institutional areas is curbed through effective preventive and administrative mechanisms". It added that the primary objective is to safeguard the fundamental right to life and safety of citizens, particularly children, students, patients and sportspersons. The ministry has sought detailed information on the implementation of the Supreme Court’s directions, including • The number of campuses secured through boundary walls, fencing, gates and other structural measures to prevent the entry of stray dogs. • The number of institutions that have been made completely free of stray dogs. • Whether every institution has appointed a nodal officer responsible for campus upkeep and ensuring stray dogs do not enter or inhabit the premises. • Whether details of the nodal officer have been prominently displayed at institutional entrances and shared with the concerned municipal authority. • Availability of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Anti-Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) in hospitals and healthcare facilities under ministries such as Railways, Defence, Labour, Coal, Mines, Steel and Power.
• Whether schools and educational institutions are conducting awareness sessions for students and staff on safe behaviour around animals, first aid following dog bites and reporting protocols. • Whether stadiums and sports complexes have deployed security and ground staff to prevent stray dogs from entering or residing within the premises. • Whether railway authorities have secured railway stations and other premises under their jurisdiction against stray dog movement and habitation. • The number of institutions where proper waste management systems have been established to eliminate food sources that attract stray animals. • Whether quarterly inspection mechanisms and regular monitoring systems have been put in place to ensure a safe environment. The health ministry has also directed every ministry to nominate a single point of contact, not below the rank of Joint Secretary, to coordinate with the ministry on compliance and submission of reports. Describing the matter as one of serious importance, the ministry said the directions issued by the Supreme Court require immediate attention and effective implementation across all central government institutional areas.
The BriefWire