SC noted that repeated incidents of dog bites at key public spaces are not merely a public-health challenge but a matter of human safety under Article 21 of the Constitution.
SC Directions
- A nodal officer must be appointed for the upkeep and surveillance of each such premise like educational institutions, hospitals, transport hubs, etc. by their respective management.
- District Magistrates to ensure that such premises are secured by adequate fencing, boundary walls, gates.
- Local municipal authorities and panchayats shall carry out regular inspections, at least once in every three months.
- All Government and private hospitals shall maintain a mandatory stock of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin at all times.
- Proper waste-management systems shall be implemented to eliminate food sources that attract animals.
Issue of Stray dogs in India
- Population size: 1.5 crore (2019 livestock census).
- Dog Bites in India: Around 37 lakh in 2024 (National Centre for Disease Control data).
- Rabies: India contributes to 36% of global rabies deaths.
- Mortality: Dog bites are responsible for about 96% of the mortality and morbidity associated with rabies in India.
Provisions and steps taken regarding Stray Dogs in India
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