Remove stray dogs from public premises to shelters: Supreme Court orders

New Delhi: In a remarkable verdict on Friday, the Supreme Court ordered the removal of stray dogs from public places including educational institutions, hospitals, bus stands, sports complexes, and railway stations to designated shelters within eight weeks, NDTV reported.

The verdict by bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria comes amid ‘alarming rise’ in dogs attacking people including children.

The court, monitoring the incidents of dog-bites via a suo motu proceeding, instructed authorities to stop dogs from entering premises of government and public institutions alongside directing the local municipal authorities to inspect to ensure no stray dogs inhabit in public premises.

‘Every stray dog is to be forthwith removed from such premises and relocated to a shelter after sterilisation,’ the court ordered.

The court also direct all states and union territories to take steps to rectify the lapses, pointed out by the amicus curiae, ‘in complying with the ABC rules directed by the court.’

Directing to file a comprehensive affidavits before the next hearing, detailing remedial measures to rectify lapses pointed out in the report, the court said ‘Any laxity will be viewed seriously’ and it is reported that the matter will be heard on January 13.

A suo moto case was initiated on July 28 following report on how stray god bites in the national capital caused rabies particularly in children.

Alongside ordering all states and union territories, the National Highway Authority to ensure the removal of stray cattle and other animals from public places, the court directed authorities to set up a dedicated highway patrol team to catch and shift stray cattle to shelter homes, thus providing them proper care.

‘All national highways will have helpline numbers for reporting stray cattle. The chief secretaries of all states will ensure strict compliance with these directives,’ it said.