The Central Government has directed all ministries to remove stray dogs from their campuses by June 30, 2026. The order covers schools, hospitals, railway stations, sports complexes, and other public institutions. The move follows a Supreme Court ruling issued last year. The government wants to improve safety in places that children, patients, commuters, and athletes use every day. Ministries must submit proof that they have followed the new directions before the deadline.

The government has issued clear instructions for all ministries. Every campus must install fences or boundary walls to stop stray dogs from entering the premises. Authorities must improve waste management, as leftover food and garbage attract stray dogs. Every campus must also display the contact details of a nodal officer. This officer will remain responsible for handling any report of stray dogs inside the premises.

Hospitals must maintain an adequate stock of anti-rabies vaccines at all times. Schools must conduct awareness sessions to teach children about dog safety and basic first aid in case of an unexpected encounter. Railway stations and sports complexes must deploy additional staff to monitor the entry of stray dogs into these busy public spaces. After ministries complete these measures, the Health Ministry will collect updates from all departments. It will prepare a combined report by August and submit it to the Supreme Court.

The government's latest action follows a series of Supreme Court orders passed in 2025. The Court took up the issue on its own after concerns grew over the increasing number of dog bite cases across the country. The judges focused on public safety, especially for children.

In August 2025, the Supreme Court first ordered authorities to remove stray dogs from Delhi and the National Capital Region. Animal welfare groups strongly opposed the order. The Court later referred the matter to a larger bench for fresh consideration. Instead of limiting the issue to Delhi, the larger bench expanded its scope. It applied the directions across India and transferred similar cases pending in different High Courts to itself.

The Supreme Court passed its most important order in November 2025. It focused on what it described as "institutional areas" such as schools, colleges, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands, and railway stations. The Court observed that the rising number of dog bite cases inside these public spaces showed serious failures in waste management and the maintenance of public areas. It said the issue required immediate attention.

Under the Court's order, authorities must remove every stray dog found inside these institutional areas. They must sterilise and vaccinate the animals according to India's existing Animal Birth Control Rules. However, officials cannot release these dogs back into the same campus after treatment. They must shift them to designated shelters and keep them away from these public spaces permanently.

The Court also directed the Animal Welfare Board of India to prepare a standard operating procedure for implementing these measures. The guidelines will cover shelter capacity, staffing requirements, and vaccination records. The Court further instructed all states and union territories to submit affidavits confirming that they were following its directions.

Although the Supreme Court's order applies across the country, one incident in Jaypee Greens, Greater Noida, brought national attention to the issue. In February 2026, CCTV footage from the residential township showed a pack of stray dogs aggressively chasing a woman during an early morning walk. The video quickly went viral and sparked widespread concern. Residents said they had raised complaints about aggressive stray dogs for years, yet authorities had not taken sufficient action.

Another serious incident took place in May 2026. A 63-year-old Delhi University professor, Sangeeta Sharma, was chased by four to five stray dogs near her home inside the township. She lost her balance while trying to escape and fell heavily on her back. The fall caused serious injuries. Her family said she already had knee and spinal problems, which made the incident even more severe.

The incidents led to protests by residents of Jaypee Greens. They demanded immediate implementation of the safety measures ordered by the Supreme Court. Residents said the 465-acre township had more than 500 stray dogs roaming freely. They also claimed many families had faced similar incidents over the years. Local authorities later agreed to begin a sterilisation drive and prepare a detailed action plan. Residents also demanded regular reviews to ensure the authorities followed through on their commitments.

The incidents at Jaypee Greens have become a key example in the national discussion on stray dogs in gated communities and crowded public places. They have strengthened the need for stricter enforcement of the Supreme Court's directions. The Central Government now expects every ministry to complete the required measures before the June 30 deadline. The move aims to make public campuses safer while ensuring that authorities handle stray dogs under the existing legal framework.