New Delhi: The country’s Supreme Court has given a big decision on stray dogs today on Friday. While hearing the case, the bench has sent notices to all the states and union territories on this matter. The court said that all the dogs sent to the shelter home will be released, only those dogs which are sick and aggressive will not be released. The bench has passed this order on the interim application to stay the order of August 11. The next hearing of the case has been scheduled after eight weeks.
The special bench of three judges said that the ban on feeding dogs in public places will remain in force. A designated place should be selected for them. If food is fed somewhere else, appropriate action will also be taken. At the same time, while hearing the case, the special bench also said that the dogs should be released immediately after sterilization. The Supreme Court says that many incidents have happened due to this type of food. After this order, a wave of happiness has spread among animal lovers across the country.
The Supreme Court amended its order of August 11 and said that stray dogs will be released back in the same area after sterilization and vaccination, except those dogs which are infected with rabies or behave aggressively. The court said that this rule will be applicable across the country. The special bench of three judges directed that all the dogs sent to the shelter home should be released immediately. Let us tell you, the Supreme Court had directed to remove stray dogs from the streets of Delhi-NCR adjacent to the capital Delhi and keep them in permanent shelter homes. This case is being heard by a special bench of three judges, which includes Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice NV Anjaria.
In fact, the petitioners had challenged the decisions of August 11. Hearing on this is going on. While hearing the case, the special bench had reserved the decision on August 14. The bench had blamed the negligence of the local bodies for the increasing problem of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR. The court said that the problem of stray dogs is increasing day by day in these areas. Due to the negligence of the Delhi Municipal Corporation, the sterilization and vaccination rules of dogs are not being implemented properly.
Solicitor Tushar Mehta said during the hearing that last year in 2024, a total of more than 31 lakh dog bite cases were registered from across the country. He further said that this clearly means that about 10,000 cases are coming up every day. Tushar Mehta said that according to a report of the World Health Organization, more than 300 people died due to dog bites in the year 2023.
Citing serious concerns over public safety and the growing threat of rabies, the court said that immediate action is necessary to ensure the safety of children, women and the elderly on the streets. Directing the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and civic agencies of Noida, Gurgaon and Ghaziabad to completely rid the streets of stray dogs, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court issued a stern warning that strict legal action will be taken against any organisation or group that obstructs their removal.
The court’s decision sparked outrage in many sections of society. Animal lovers across the country expressed their displeasure over the Supreme Court’s decision and expressed concern for the mute animals on social media. After this, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai constituted a bench of three judges.
