Kerala Faces Herculean Task to Relocate 900,000 Stray Dogs After Court Order

As of 2025-11-11T00:52:43+00:00, the state of Kerala is grappling with a daunting challenge to comply with the Supreme Court's recent order to relocate the approximately 900,000 stray dogs found in public spaces across the state. The Court had directed local authorities to remove these animals from educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands, and railway stations, and shift them to designated shelters after sterilization and vaccination.

However, this directive poses significant practical difficulties for Kerala, which has a population density three times the national average. The 'capture-sterilise-vaccinate-return' policy laid out in the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 has been the standard approach, but the Court's order represents a clear departure from this established practice.

Experts warn that the removal of one pack of stray dogs from an area will not solve the issue, as the vacuum will quickly be filled by another group. Additionally, there are concerns about the availability of sufficient animal handlers, qualified veterinary surgeons, and secure, isolated locations to set up the required dog pounds and animal shelters. The order has also put a halt to the Kerala government's recent initiative to sterilize and vaccinate street dogs, returning them to their original locations.

The Court has cautioned that any non-compliance with its orders will be viewed seriously, with penalties and contempt proceedings threatened against erring officials. However, the practical challenges in implementing the directive mean that local authorities may inadvertently flout the instructions, despite the rise in reported dog bite incidents and rabies-related deaths across the state.