Will Delhi Finally Be Free of Stray Dogs? SC Orders Immediate Action
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Delhi government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to immediately begin removing stray dogs from all areas of Delhi, especially vulnerable localities.
A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said there must be “no compromise” in this exercise. The authorities have been given the liberty to form special teams for this purpose.
The Court warned that any person or organisation obstructing the removal of stray dogs would face strict legal action, including contempt of court.
The Bench also directed the creation of dog shelters within eight weeks, equipped with enough staff to sterilise and vaccinate the dogs, and monitored through CCTV cameras. Not a single stray dog should be released back onto the streets, it stressed.
The Court further ordered:
- Daily records of stray dogs captured and detained must be maintained.
- A helpline should be set up within one week for reporting dog bites.
- Dogs reported for bites must be removed within four hours of a complaint.
- Information about rabies vaccine availability should be published, along with stock details and monthly treatment reports.
Criticising animal rights activists for blocking earlier relocation efforts, the Court remarked, “Will these activists be able to bring back the lives lost to rabies?”
The matter arose from a suo motu case following repeated incidents of rabies and deaths due to stray dog attacks. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Court that parents of children who were victims of dog attacks had appreciated the Court’s intervention.
Calling the situation “grim,” the Bench ordered urgent action, making it clear that any interference in implementing these directions will be dealt with strictly. The case will be heard again after six weeks.
