The Supreme Court on Friday revised its earlier directive on stray dogs, clarifying that canines will be released back into the same area after sterilisation and immunisation. The bench also barred street feeding and instructed authorities to designate specific feeding zones.
On August 11, the apex court had ordered the removal of all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR within eight weeks and directed that they be kept in shelters without release. The order sparked outrage among animal welfare organisations and activists, who opposed the decision.
No Street Feeding, Only Designated Zones
In its fresh ruling, the three-judge bench led by Justice Vikram Nath directed municipal bodies to create feeding areas where stray dogs may be looked after. The court specified that no feeding will be allowed on streets, and notice boards must be placed at designated feeding points to ensure compliance.
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The court also issued notices to all states and Union Territories, asking them to appear in the matter and provide suggestions to help frame a national policy on stray dogs.
Background of the Case
A two-judge bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan had earlier, on July 28, taken suo motu cognisance of a news report on rising dog bite incidents. On August 11, the bench directed the creation of shelters and ordered the shifting of all strays in Delhi-NCR within eight weeks.
However, the case was later reassigned by Chief Justice Bhushan R Gavai to a three-judge bench, which heard the matter on August 14 and reserved its order.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta supported the court’s concern over rising dog bite cases. “Thirty seven lakhs a year, 10,000 per day.
This is dog bites. Rabies deaths – 305 deaths for the same year, WHO’s modelling shows much higher number,” he noted, adding that while a “very loud vocal minority” opposed the move, the “silent suffering majority” was in favour.
