In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court on Monday directed that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR be moved from the streets to designated shelters to reduce the increasing number of attacks, particularly on children. Hearing the matter on its own, the bench said the move was “for nothing else but public good” and directed that the shelters be equipped with CCTV cameras “to ensure that dogs are not released”, while authorities must begin rounding up strays “from all localities, more particularly vulnerable localities and cities”. Additionally, Delhi Government, MCD and NDMC have been directed to start the process of picking up stray dogs from all areas soon.
The Apex Court also said that the stray dogs from the Delhi-NCR region should be caught within eight weeks and kept in special dog shelters to be built by the concerned departments. In a significant decision, the court has directed the municipal corporations and other relevant agencies to prepare a sufficient number of dog shelters within the stipulated timeframe, in mutual coordination, so that streets and public places can be cleared of dogs.
Supreme Court Order
The court has also made it clear that once a stray dog is taken to the shelter, it should not be left on the streets or colonies again. The Supreme Court strictly said that such dogs should be kept in the shelter and should not be left again in any public place. The Supreme Court has mandated that state governments and municipal corporations monitor stray dogs and relocate them from public spaces to designated shelters.
Additionally, the court has warned that if any person or organisation tries to obstruct this process, strict action will be taken against them. The Court also specifically observed that the safety of newborns and young children must be given top priority, and they must not be allowed to fall prey to stray dogs under any circumstance.
A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan stated that shelters should be established to house approximately 5,000 stray dogs, with sufficient staff assigned to carry out sterilisation and vaccination of the animals.
Last month, the Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognisance of a media report related to cases of rabies due to dog bites.
