New Delhi, Nov 7: With the dog bite cases, and rabies on the rise, the Supreme Court of India on Friday ordered  the states and Union Territories to ensure the removal of stray dogs from public places.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria, while hearing suo motu proceedings on rampaging stray dogs in inhabitations , directed the authorities to prevent the dogs from entering the public places. It also said that they must not be released back to the same place where they were picked up from.

The removal should be done within eight weeks, the court said.

The matter will be heard further on January 13.

Worth mentioning,the Supreme Court was hearing a case based on the stray dog menace across the nation, suo moto, which was initiated on July 28 over a report on stray dog bites leading to rabies, particularly among children, in the national capital.

The court also directed all states and union territories, the National Highway Authority, and civic bodies to ensure the removal of stray cattle from national highways, state highways, and other roads.