The top court has directed the MCD to set up a helpline number for reporting any instances of violations.
Supreme Court Modifies August 11 Directive On Stray Dogs In Delhi NCR Latest News: The Supreme Court on Friday modified its August 11 order prohibiting the release of stray dogs from dog shelters in Delhi-NCR, and said the picked-up dogs should be sterilized, vaccinated, and released back in the same localities from where they were picked.
A three-judge special bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath made clear that this release shall not apply to dogs infected with rabies or suspected to be infected with rabies and those displaying aggressive behaviour.
The bench, also comprising Justices Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaraia, said the August 11 direction prohibiting the release of stray dogs from dog shelters shall be kept in abeyance for the time being.
“The earlier prohibition on release shall remain in abeyance. The dogs, once dewormed and vaccinated, shall be returned to the same area,” the Court ordered
The three-judge bench ordered that no public feeding of dogs will be allowed, and directed MCD to create dedicated feeding spaces for stray dogs, stating there were instances of dog bites due to such feeding.
It said individuals found feeding stray dogs on the streets shall be liable to be proceeded with under the relevant legal framework.
The top court has directed the MCD to set up a helpline number for reporting any instances of violations. Supreme Court, expanding the ambit of its proceedings on the menace of stray dogs, issued notice to Secretaries of Department of Animal Husbandry in all states and Union Territories and seeks their response on framing of a national policy to deal with the issue of the stray dog menace.
Supreme Court also directed its Registry to seek information from all High Courts where petitions are pending on the issue of stray dogs and ordered that all such matters will be transferred to the top court.
Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing in the stray dogs matter for eight weeks from now.
Supreme Court lawyer and petitioner Nanita Sharma, calling the order a 'balanced' one, said, "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..."
She Nanita Sharma appealed to the ‘authorities to be a bit more humane."
Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh welcomed the decision. He said, “This is a very good decision, and we will implement it 100%. The dog lovers and the NGOs also wanted the dogs to be sterilised and left. The corporation already did the same. Ferocious and aggressive dogs that have developed the habit of biting should be treated and kept. The public should not face any problem.”
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