Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court has initiated steps to consolidate the status of compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions concerning stray dogs and cattle, directing its Registry to prepare a comprehensive report for submission before the apex court.
The direction was issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury while hearing a suo motu writ petition, WP(C)(Suo Moto)/2/2026.
During the proceedings, the High Court took note of a series of directions issued by the Supreme Court on different dates concerning the management of stray dogs and the prevention of accidents and other risks arising from stray cattle and animals, particularly on national highways.
Key Measures Outlined by Supreme Court
The Gauhati High Court recorded the principal measures laid down by the Supreme Court. These include the systematic removal and sheltering of stray dogs, establishment of dog shelters or pounds, and time-bound implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, including sterilisation and immunisation.
The directions also call for at least one functional Animal Birth Control Centre in every district, designated feeding areas for stray dogs in municipal regions and dedicated helplines for addressing related concerns.
Government and private institutions are also required to be identified, with nodal officers responsible for maintaining their premises. Hospitals have been directed to ensure uninterrupted availability of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin, while veterinary personnel are to receive appropriate training.
The Supreme Court’s directions further encourage municipal authorities to facilitate the adoption of stray dogs.
With regard to stray cattle and other animals on highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been directed to work with the respective state governments to develop and implement a comprehensive, time-bound mechanism for dealing with the issue on National Highways and National Highway Expressways.
NHAI and State-Level Compliance
The High Court also considered a report submitted by Senior Advocate T.J. Mahanta, who is assisting the Gauhati High Court in the matter.
According to the report, NHAI has already submitted a detailed compliance report outlining measures taken to address the presence of cattle on highways. The report includes identification of stretches considered vulnerable to cattle movement, proposed remedial measures and the deployment of road-patrolling vehicles on a 24-hour basis along identified stretches.
The court was further informed that compliance reports, in the format prescribed by the Supreme Court, have been submitted by Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
An affidavit has also been filed on behalf of the Union of India, detailing steps taken to coordinate with and support the states in implementing the Supreme Court’s directions.
Senior Advocate T.J. Mahanta informed the court that if any updates to the compliance reports become necessary, the matter could be brought before the High Court for further consideration and listing.
Matter Listed for November 11
Following the submissions, the Gauhati High Court directed its Registry to complete the necessary process for preparing the comprehensive report to be forwarded to the Supreme Court of India.
The matter has been listed for further consideration on November 11, 2026.
