Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai reportedly said on Wednesday that he would look into the relocation of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR. When a petition seeking regular sterilisation and vaccination of the animals was mentioned before his bench on Wednesday, CJI Gavai said, “I will look into it,” indicating his commitment to examining the matter. However, it is unclear whether the Chief Justice was referring to the 2024 petition or the recent Supreme Court ruling that has drawn criticism from animal welfare activists and NGOs.
In the petition seeking regular sterilisation and vaccination of the animals, CJI BR Gavai said an order had already been passed on the issue. He was referring to the recent judgment where the Supreme Court directed civic bodies to round up all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR within eight weeks and send them to shelters.
The Chief Justice said he would look into it, but the Supreme Court has not listed it for hearing yet.
What Supreme Court Said On Stray Dogs
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.
Also Read: Horror On The Streets: 37 Lakh Bites, 54 Deaths – Is There No End To The Dog Menace In India?
