Maharashtra: Orders Issued to Remove Stray Dogs From Sensitive Public Spaces After Supreme Court Directive
Mumbai, 25th November 2025: The Maharashtra Urban Development Department has issued fresh instructions to all municipal corporations and local bodies following a Supreme Court directive to clear stray dogs from key public locations such as schools, hospitals, sports venues, bus stands, depots, and railway stations.
In a new Government Resolution (GR), the state has asked civic bodies to undertake a systematic drive to capture, sterilise, vaccinate, and deworm stray dogs. Local administrations — including municipal corporations, municipal councils, and nagar panchayats — have been told to arrange proper shelters for the captured animals.
The resolution also mandates the creation of fixed feeding points for strays to avoid conflicts in public spaces. It states that civic bodies must identify and officially notify such spots and ensure that feeding is strictly restricted to these locations.
According to the order, “Local bodies should mark specific feeding areas within their jurisdiction and ensure that feeding of stray dogs happens only at these approved spots. Anyone feeding strays in undesignated public places will face penal action.”
The state has further instructed authorities to immediately pick up and sterilise any stray dog found roaming near educational campuses, government or private hospitals, sports complexes, and major transport hubs, including interstate bus terminals and railway stations.
The Supreme Court, in its order delivered by a bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria, underlined that unchecked dog bites in public and private institutions have become a matter of serious concern. The bench observed that the increasing incidents pose clear risks in places meant for learning, treatment, and recreation.
The court noted that “the issue of stray dog attacks, especially in public institutions, directly affects human safety, and governments have a responsibility to safeguard the health and lives of citizens.”
The state government has asked all local bodies to begin compliance immediately.
