'Remove stray dogs from schools, hospitals, bus-stands': SC's big order
What's the story
The Supreme Court has ordered the fencing of educational institutions, hospitals, public sports complexes, bus stands and depots, and railway stations in light of the "alarming rise" in dog-bite incidents. The court directed local self-government institutions to remove stray dogs from these areas and take them to designated dog shelters after vaccination and sterilization as per Animal Birth Control Rules. The stray dogs removed should not be returned to the same place, it added.
Court directive
Strays shouldn't be returned to same place
"Permitting the same would frustrate the very purpose of liberating such institutions from the presence of stray dogs," the bench observed. The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria, also ordered periodic inspections by local bodies to ensure no stray dog habitats exist in these premises. Not just dogs, the bench also passed directions for the removal of stray cattle and other animals from roads and highways.
Case history
Case initiated after dog bite deaths in Delhi
The case was initiated on July 28 after a Times of India report titled "In a city hounded by strays, kids pay price." On August 11, the court expressed serious concerns about dog bites and rabies, directing authorities in Delhi and neighboring areas to relocate stray dogs to shelters. The court warned of legal consequences for obstructing authorities from picking up strays and allowed them to form dedicated forces for this purpose.
Order revision
Earlier bench stay on not releasing treated dogs
However, in a turn of events, on August 13, the suo motu case was shifted to a three-judge bench after some lawyers informed CJI BR Gavai that the previous directions were in conflict with previous rulings issued by other benches. On August 22, a three-judge bench led by Justice Vikram Nath stayed the earlier directions prohibiting the release of treated and vaccinated dogs, deeming it "too harsh."
Compliance summons
All states urged to comply
The bench clarified that such dogs should be released back to their original areas after sterilization, deworming, and immunization unless they are rabid or aggressive. The court also prohibited public feeding of stray dogs and directed dedicated feeding spaces. Furthermore, the bench broadened the scope of the matter to include all of India. All states and UTs, Secretaries of the Animal Husbandry Department, Secretaries of Local Bodies, and Municipal Corporations were urged to ensure compliance with the ABC rules.