The Supreme Court’s recent directions requiring the removal of stray dogs from sensitive public spaces such as schools, hospitals, transport hubs, and other crowded areas have brought renewed attention to Jammu’s urban animal management system. The order aims to strengthen public safety in vulnerable zones, but it has arrived at a time when the Jammu Municipal Corporation is struggling with limited shelter capacity and increasing public concern. This situation calls for a careful balance between ensuring safety and maintaining compassion for animals, highlighting the need to assess available resources, identify critical gaps, and determine how humane solutions can be swiftly implemented.
At present, the JMC runs two functional dog shelters, one in Roop Nagar and the other in Chowadi. Both facilities, which began operations earlier this year, are already full, collectively housing more than 200 dogs. With occupancy reaching its limit, the city has no immediate capacity to take in additional dogs as required by the Supreme Court’s directive. A third shelter at Bhagwati Nagar is currently under construction and is expected to become operational soon. Though this development offers some relief, it remains inadequate in meeting the large-scale relocation of dogs that will be necessary to comply with the court’s order. This shortage reflects a challenge familiar to many urban bodies, where legal mandates often outweigh the available infrastructure. Despite these limitations, the administration appears aware of the long-term needs. Officials have indicated plans to establish more shelters using prefabricated structures once land is allotted by the district administration. A high-level meeting has already been held to discuss the preparedness and steps needed to comply with the Supreme Court’s instructions, showing that the matter is receiving administrative attention. However, until more shelters are built, implementation remains constrained simply by the lack of space to house relocated animals. Sterilisation continues to play a central role in the city’s stray dog management strategy. Previously limited to one location, sterilisation facilities have now been expanded to the Chowadi shelter as well, enabling a greater number of dogs to be sterilised and vaccinated. Under the current protocol, dogs are sterilized the day after they are picked up, kept under observation, and later vaccinated against rabies. While this procedure is humane and essential for public health, the Supreme Court’s direction that sterilized dogs cannot be returned to the same sensitive spaces creates additional challenges. The city now must identify safe alternative locations where dogs can live without raising safety concerns. This situation is delicate because it touches both public welfare and animal welfare. The Court’s instructions arise from legitimate safety concerns in places frequented by children, patients, and daily commuters. Yet, attempts to relocate large numbers of dogs often face resistance from animal lovers and welfare groups, who fear neglect or mistreatment. This emotional divide is neither new nor unique to Jammu, but the current mandate adds urgency to an already sensitive issue. To avoid conflict, the administration must adopt a compassionate, well-communicated, and transparent approach. The current scenario also raises questions about long-term urban governance. Effective stray dog management requires adequate land, manpower, and infrastructure, which many cities lack. Jammu’s experience underlines the need for integrated planning, stronger institutional capacity, and policies that can adapt quickly to new legal and public health demands. Sustainable solutions depend on sterilisation, vaccination, shelter expansion, and public awareness, rather than short-term measures. There is also a need for better coordination between departments, regular updating of animal census data, identification of safe zones, and clearer mechanisms for addressing complaints. Collaborations with animal welfare organisations and community groups can help build trust and ensure that administrative measures are better understood and accepted.
As Jammu moves forward, the administration must expand shelter capacity without delay, accelerate sterilisation efforts, and secure additional land. Stronger coordination with welfare groups, improved monitoring, and more decisive action on the ground are essential. The Supreme Court’s directives highlight the importance of public safety, but they also remind the city to treat animals with dignity. If handled with planning and care, Jammu can transform this challenge into an opportunity to create a humane, well-structured, and forward-looking urban animal management system.