The Supreme Court also directed state governments, municipal authorities, and road and transport authorities to remove cattle from highways and expressways and rehabilitate them in shelters.

Amid the "alarming rise" in dog bite cases, the Supreme Court on Friday ordered the removal of stray dogs from educational institutions, hospitals, bus stands, sports complexes, and railway stations, directing that the canines be sent to designated dog shelters.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria, which is monitoring stray dog-bite incidents through a suo motu proceeding, directed the authorities to prevent the dogs from entering the premises of government and public institutions.

It also said that they must not be released back to the same place where they were picked up.The court directed the local municipal authorities to carry out regular inspections of all premises to ensure no stray dog habitat exists. "Every stray dog is to be forthwith removed from such premises and relocated to a shelter after sterilisation," it said.

The removal should be done within eight weeks, the court said.It also noted that all states and union territories should take steps to rectify the lapses highlighted by the amicus curiae (court-appointed lawyer) in complying with the ABC rules directed by the court.

Source:Ndtv