Former Union Minister Vijay Goel on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court’s recent directive on the stray dog issue. The Court has ordered that clear rules be framed for feeding stray dogs within Government premises.
It has also decided to review how previous orders on sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs are being implemented across the country. Goel said the Court’s strong stance reflects a growing national concern over the menace of stray dogs, which has now become a serious public safety issue.
Goel praised the Court for taking a “proactive and urgent” approach, saying that its observation on restricting feeding inside official institutions was “a step in the right direction.”
The court had also expressed concern about some Government employees encouraging or protecting stray dogs within Government campuses.
“It is shocking that even at airports, railway stations, and hospitals, stray dogs can be seen roaming freely,” Goel said, calling for a complete ban on allowing or feeding stray dogs in any public or private premises.
“This issue is no longer about compassion alone; it is about citizens’ safety. Strict rules and enforcement are now essential.”
The former minister urged the Supreme Court to go a step further and verify the accuracy of the affidavits and reports filed by state chief secretaries on sterilisation and vaccination drives. He proposed that each state set up a three-member committee to review whether previous Supreme Court directions on sterilisation, vaccination, and feeding bans in public places have actually been carried out or only exist on paper.
Goel said sterilisation and vaccination efforts alone have failed to reduce dog bite incidents, which continue to rise sharply in several states. “The real issue is how to remove stray dogs from the streets. Without relocation and stricter enforcement, the problem will persist,” he said.
He also criticised state Governments for yielding to pressure from small groups of self-proclaimed “dog feeders”, whose activism, he claimed, often sidelines legitimate public safety concerns. “Authorities seem afraid of facing backlash from these groups, but they cannot ignore the daily suffering of people who are bitten or chased by stray dogs,” he said.
Calling for urgent nationwide action, Goel stressed that the safety of citizens, particularly children and the elderly, must take priority. “We cannot have public spaces where people live in fear. There must be clear, uniform rules across India,” he added.
The former Union minister expressed hope that the Supreme Court’s upcoming judgement on November 9 would lead to decisive measures and bring relief to people who have endured years of inaction. “The Court’s intervention has reignited hope that this time, there will be accountability,” Goel said. “Orders must not remain on paper, they must be implemented on the ground,” he added.
