Schools to Strengthen Security Against Stray Dogs: Feeding Banned, Walls to Be Secured, Reports Mandatory

Sitamarhi: Following Supreme Court directives, the Education Department has issued strict guidelines to prevent stray dogs from entering educational institutions and to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and staff. The department emphasized that any lapse in implementing these measures would be considered contempt of the Supreme Court.

Key Guidelines Issued:
All schools, colleges, and coaching centers must submit a complete list of institutions to the District Magistrate within two weeks. Institutions are required to:

• Construct or reinforce boundary walls and securely close main gates.
• Block all open areas through which dogs could enter.
• Display notices prohibiting feeding of stray dogs and instructing immediate medical attention from the nearest health center or doctor in case of dog bites or scratches.
• Report any aggressive or suspicious dogs to the local ward councillor.
• Appoint a nodal officer responsible for monitoring stray dog behavior and liaising with the Animal Husbandry Department; the officer’s name, designation, and contact number must be displayed at the school entrance.

Municipal Measures:
The department has instructed municipalities and panchayats to inform municipal authorities about stray dogs, who will then sterilize, vaccinate, and relocate them to designated shelters rather than returning them to their original locations. Local health centers must ensure the availability of anti-rabies vaccines.

Meal Management and Hygiene:
Schools are strictly prohibited from feeding stray dogs under any circumstances. Mid-Day Meal (MDM) food waste must not be left in open areas and should be disposed of daily at designated locations outside the school campus. Kitchen and dishwashing areas must be kept clean to avoid attracting dogs. Fencing, doors, and closures must be installed around cooking and serving areas to prevent dog entry.

The department has made it clear that head teachers, Block Education Officers (BEOs), and District Education Officers (DEOs) will be jointly responsible for ensuring strict compliance with these directives.