The Supreme Court of India has said it will soon create rules about feeding street dogs inside government buildings and office areas. The court said street dogs must be protected, but feeding them in office spaces can cause safety issues for staff and visitors.
The judges noted that many government offices have dogs inside the campus and employees often feel scared or uncomfortable. The court said there must be a balance between animal care and public safety.
The Supreme Court stated:
“Feeding of stray dogs in public places is prohibited, and appropriate action will be taken against individuals who do so.”
It also said:
“Under no condition shall the feeding of stray dogs on the streets be permitted. Persons found feeding the dogs in violation of this shall face action under the law.”
The court asked the Central and State Governments to prepare clear plans for managing street dogs. This includes vaccination and sterilisation to control the dog population in a humane way.
The Supreme Court said feeding should happen only in safe, designated areas, not inside offices, gates, or corridors. If dogs are fed inside government campuses, more dogs may come and it can create problems.
Animal welfare groups told the court that dogs should not be harmed and must be treated with kindness. The court agreed with this but said people’s safety must also be protected.
The court will soon issue final guidelines. All government offices will have to follow these rules to ensure safety for both people and dogs.