The Supreme Court delivered its judgment on Friday regarding the issue of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR. Following a hearing on August 11th, the court initially ordered that stray dogs be moved from the streets of Delhi-NCR to permanent dog shelters. A review petition was filed against this order. The court has now decided that dogs will be released after they are sterilized. The court clearly stated that aggressive dogs will not be released. Furthermore, feeding dogs in public spaces is prohibited.
The court stated that it is amending some aspects of its previous ruling, and that these changes will be applicable throughout the entire nation, not just within Delhi-NCR. All state governments are being notified, and cases currently pending in the High Courts will be transferred to the Supreme Court. A three-judge bench, led by Justice Vikram Nath, presided over the hearing on stray dogs.
The Supreme Court’s decision stipulates that stray dogs should be vaccinated and then returned to the areas where they were originally found. This ruling is seen as a victory for dog lovers. The court has ordered the release of the captured stray dogs, a move that followed considerable opposition nationwide.
The court’s directive also includes measures for rabies-infected dogs, mandating their identification and continued holding. Dogs with rabies currently roaming free should be caught and moved to shelter homes.
The Supreme Court has prohibited the public feeding of dogs. Dedicated feeding areas will be set up for stray dogs. The court noted that feeding in public has led to incidents, with dog bites causing rabies and, in some cases, resulting in fatalities or serious harm to young children. The court has determined that feeding in public is a safety concern and has warned that individuals who feed dogs in public will face consequences.
The Supreme Court had previously instructed the administration to move all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters within eight weeks. This order was met with widespread disapproval. The CJI also indicated the court would review the case. Following this, the Supreme Court modified its decision. Captured stray dogs will now be vaccinated and then released.
