The bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan also directed that priority should be given to educational institutions and hospitals.

It may be noted that on May 19, 2026, the Supreme Court had directed all High Courts in the country to register suo motu writ petitions to monitor compliance with its directions to remove dogs from the premises of educational institutions, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations, etc. The Supreme Court had also warned that it would initiate contempt proceedings if the officials did not comply with the orders.

While directing the High Court to monitor the implementation, the court had opined that entrusting High Courts with monitoring and compliance with these directions as well as earlier directions for removal of stray dogs from public places would ensure closer engagement with local conditions and timely corrective intervention.

The court had passed the directions while disposing applications challenging the Standard Operating Procedures issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) pursuant to the Court's November 7, 2025 order.

The court had directed the State and Union Territories to take time-bound steps to strengthen infrastructure for sterilisation and vaccination programmes and establish at least one fully functional Animal Birth Control centre in every district. The court also directed the States and Union Territories to ensure adequate availability of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin in government medical facilities.

Following the SC direction, the Madras High Court had registered a suo motu case.

When the case was taken up today, the bench issued notice to the following authorities: the Chief Secretary of Government of Tamil Nadu, the Chief Secretary of Government of Puducherry, the Secretary to Government Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Department, the Secretary to Government Health and Family Welfare Department, the Secretary to Government Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, the Secretary to Government of Puducherry Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare Department, the Secretary to Government of Puducherry Health Department and the Secretary to Government of Puducherry Municipal Administration Department.

The court has now asked the authorities to submit a report and adjourned the case to July 21^st.

Case Title: Suo Moto Writ Petitioner v The Chief Secretary and Others

Case No: WP 23656 of 2026