India, May 19 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to modify its November 2025 directions mandating the removal of stray dogs from institutional areas such as schools, hospitals, sports complexes, railway stations and bus depots, adding that such dogs cannot be released back into these locations even after sterilisation.

A bench of justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria dismissed all applications seeking modification of the November directions and also rejected challenges to the 2025 standard operating procedure framed by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), citing "deeply disturbing" incidents of dog bites across the country.

The court also authorised authorities to take legally permissible measures, "including euth...