The Supreme Court on Friday issued a directive mandating the complete removal of stray dogs from the vicinity of educational institutions, bus stations, railway stations, and sports facilities. The court ordered that these animals be relocated to shelters following vaccination and sterilisation procedures, as stipulated under the Animal Birth Control Rules.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria further specified that the captured stray dogs must not be released back to the original locations from which they were removed. "Permitting the same would frustrate the very purpose of liberating such institutions from the presence of stray dogs," the bench stated.
This order forms part of the ongoing suo motu proceedings that the Supreme Court initiated on July 28, prompted by a media report that drew attention to the escalating stray dog menace. The report highlighted various incidents, including children being bitten by stray dogs, as well as an increase in rabies cases and related fatalities.
In its directives, the apex court has required all states and union territories to systematically identify public and private educational institutions, along with sports complexes, within their respective jurisdictions. Additionally, District Magistrates (DMs) have been tasked with ensuring that all schools, colleges, hospitals, sports facilities, and government institutions are adequately fenced to prevent the entry of stray dogs.
The court emphasised that regular inspections must be carried out to confirm the absence of stray dogs on these premises.
Furthermore, any stray dogs discovered in such designated areas, including bus stands, are to be promptly removed and transferred to shelters. The court reiterated that these animals are not to be returned to the same locations from which they were originally captured.
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on January 13.
Earlier in the week, the Supreme Court had indicated its intention to issue interim directions aimed at addressing the "grave menace" posed by dog bites in institutional areas, particularly where employees were observed feeding and encouraging the presence of stray dogs.
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The same three-judge bench had, in the previous month, strongly criticised the states and Union Territories—with the exceptions of West Bengal and Telangana—for their lack of action in tackling the stray dog issue. The court summoned the Chief Secretaries of the defaulting entities due to their failure to submit compliance affidavits detailing the measures implemented to enforce the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.
While voicing its profound dissatisfaction with the widespread non-compliance, the top court remarked that the recurring incidents of stray dog attacks were "showing the country in a bad light before foreign nations".
Previously, the Supreme Court had broadened the ambit of the stray dogs case, extending it beyond the Delhi-National Capital Region, and directed that all states and Union Territories be impleaded as parties in the proceedings.
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