New Delhi: After the mega hearing on stray dogs, the Supreme Court’s large bench has reserved its decision. In this case, the Supreme Court has asked the government to file a response in 8 weeks.
If you notice, then amidst the ongoing debate on the rehabilitation of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR, today a bench of 3 judges of the Supreme Court held a detailed hearing on the case titled ‘City troubled by stray dogs, children have to pay the price’. Let us tell you that this case was taken suo motu cognizance by the Supreme Court.
If you notice, animal rights activists, celebrities and some political personalities had expressed their objection to this order. It was also said that Delhi and other cities of NCR like Noida and Gurugram lack the necessary infrastructure for the rehabilitation of dogs on a large scale.
Apart from this, many people argued that removing dogs from their areas would create space for new dogs to come. Along with this, it emphasized that the solution lies in the proper implementation of ABC rules.
The matter was heard by a bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice NV Anjaria of the Supreme Court.
Let us tell you that earlier this week, in the same case, a bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan had directed all the municipal bodies of Delhi-NCR to immediately catch stray dogs and send them to designated shelters.
Expressing serious concern over public safety and increasing cases of rabies, the bench headed by Pardiwala had described the situation as “serious”. Also stressed that immediate measures are necessary for the safety of children, women and the elderly.
Directing the New Delhi Municipal Corporation, Delhi Municipal Corporation and civic agencies of Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad to completely free the streets from stray dogs, the court sternly warned that any group or organization obstructing the removal of these animals will face strict legal action.
The order sparked a sharp reaction, with animal lovers across the country criticising the decision on social media and expressing concern for the welfare of stray dogs.
Earlier, on Wednesday, Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai remarked that the Supreme Court would “consider” the issue when a lawyer referred to a petition seeking sterilisation and vaccination of community dogs in Delhi.
The lawyer also cited an order passed in 2024 by a bench headed by Justice J.K. Maheshwari which prohibited the killing of stray animals and called compassion towards all living beings a constitutional value.
To this, Chief Justice Gavai had told the lawyer, “But a bench of other judges has already passed the order. I will look into it.”
