The Supreme Court on Tuesday ( May 19) refused to modify its earlier order directing concerned authorities that stray dogs should be captured from public places such as hospitals, bus stands, schools, railway stations and the animals must not be released to the same place after vaccination and sterilisation.
The development took place during the hearing of petitions urging the apex court to modify its earlier directions issued in November last year. The court also dismissed petitions challenging the Standard Operating Procedure issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India and referred to reports of dog attacks on children as “deeply disturbing incidents”.
“The menace of dog bites has extended to public places of critical areas, including airports and residential areas,” stated the court as quoted by Live Law.
The Court observed that the issue of stray dog attacks had assumed a “staggering dimension” and said the “continued recurring of such incidents” pointed towards a serious lapse in the enforcement of earlier directions issued by the court. It warned that officials failing to comply with the orders would face contempt proceedings along with disciplinary action.
A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice NV Anjaria was hearing the matter. The court had, in November last year, directed authorities to remove stray dogs from public spaces, including schools, hospitals, railway stations, bus stands and sports complexes. The bench had also ordered that captured dogs be relocated to shelters and not released at the same locations after sterilisation and vaccination.
The court had further prohibited the feeding of stray dogs on roads and other public areas except at the notified feeding points. Subsequently, multiple pleas were made by animal welfare groups and dog lovers seeking a recall of the directions. Judgment in the matter was reserved on January 29 after detailed hearings.
The proceedings originated from a suo motu case initiated last year following reports relating to the death of a child allegedly caused by a dog bite in the National Capital Region.
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