The Supreme Court of India on Friday modified its controversial August 8 order concerning stray dogs. The new directive stipulates that stray dogs, after being vaccinated and dewormed, must be released back into the same areas from which they were removed.
This decision was met with widespread jubilation among animal lovers. However, the court also specified that dogs exhibiting signs of rabies or aggressive behaviour must be immunised and housed in separate shelters.
A number of additional changes to the August 8 order were made by the three-judge bench, which was composed of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria. Within eight weeks, civic authorities in Delhi-NCR were to collect all stray dogs and place them in designated shelters, according to the original order.
"Prohibition on release of strays shall be stayed. The Supreme Court ruled that they ought to be dewormed, vaccinated, and returned to their original location. In addition, the court broadened the case's focus to include the entire nation and stated that following a thorough hearing, it would develop a national policy on the subject.
After the bench led by Justice Pardiwala's initial order caused a great deal of public outrage, the Chief Justice made the unusual decision to reassign the case to the three-judge bench. In addition, the court broadened the case's focus to include the entire nation and stated that following a thorough hearing, it would develop a national policy on the subject.
'NO PUBLIC FEEDING OF STRAY DOGS'
The top court clearly said that feeding stray dogs in public is not allowed and that steps will be taken against anyone who does it.
"No public feeding of dogs allowed. Dedicated feeding spaces of stray dogs to be created. Action will be taken against persons found to be feeding dogs on the streets," the court said.
The court also let animal lovers file requests to adopt the dogs, but warned that it's up to them to make sure the strays aren't sent back to the streets. The court also told each person who filed a petition and the NGOs that have come to it to put in Rs 25,000 and Rs 2 lakh, respectively.
Also Read: In the interest of humans as well as dogs: SC on stray dogs case
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