The Supreme Court delivered its judgment on a series of petitions challenging its August 11 order concerning stray dogs in Delhi-NCR. The earlier directive had mandated the relocation of stray dogs within eight weeks, triggering protests not only in the capital but also across several parts of the country.
The Supreme Court on Friday stayed its August 11 order mandating the pickup of stray dogs, their housing in shelters, and a bar on releasing them back on the streets. The bench clarified that dogs picked up must be released after sterilisation and vaccination, except those infected with rabies or showing aggressive behaviour.
“Stray dogs will be released back to the same area after sterilisation and immunisation, except those infected with rabies or exhibiting aggressive behaviour,” the court ordered.
The court stated that no public feeding of dogs will be allowed, and ordered creation of dedicated feeding spaces for stray dogs. It directed the MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) to create feeding areas in municipal wards.
The Court observed that animal lovers can move application before MCD for adoption of dogs. The court expanded the ambit of its proceedings on menace of stray dogs and issued notice to Secretaries of department of Animal Husbandry all states and Union Territories and sought their response on framing of national policy to deal with the problem.
It also directed its Registry to seek information from all High Courts where petitions are pending on issue of stray dogs and orders that all such matters will be transferred to the top court.
Hailing the top court’s verdict in this matter, Supreme Court lawyer and petitioner Nanita Sharma called it a “balanced order.” She stated that all matters regarding dog issues pending in all courts in all states will be brought under one court.
“This is a balanced order. The court has involved all states in this case. All matters regarding dog issues pending in all courts in all states will be brought under one. They have said that regular dogs should be sterilised and aggressive dogs should be put in pounds/ animal shelters. The court has ruled that MCD will establish designated feeding areas for dogs…” Nanita Sharma told reporters.
In its earlier directive, the Supreme Court had not only instructed authorities to pick up stray dogs but also cautioned that strict action would be taken against any individual or group obstructing the process.
It further ordered the creation of shelters to house the dogs and barred their release back on the streets.
A bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and R Madadev has said that it has decided to take the matter into its hands because of the systematic failure of the authorities over the past two decades to address an issue that strikes at the heart of public safety.
The bench has said that the directions given by it, as a court which functions for the welfare of the people, are both in the interest of humans as well as dogs, and “this is not personal”. (With inputs from agencies)
