Supreme Court Stays August 11 Order on Delhi Street Dogs, Gives New Directives: See Details
In an important ruling, the Supreme Court has stayed its previous order from August 11 regarding the management of Delhi street dogs. The court has said that any dogs captured must be released only after undergoing sterilization and vaccination. However, dogs found to be infected with rabies or displaying aggressive behavior will not be released.
The three-judge bench clarified that it will not be mandatory to keep all street dogs in shelter homes. Instead, captured dogs will be returned to the locations from which they were taken, following their vaccination and sterilization. This decision aims to establish a uniform policy across the country to address issues related to street dogs effectively.
Cohesive national policy to be developed
Justice Vikram Nath, during the hearing, emphasized that these directives are interim instructions and said that all states and union territories have been included as parties in this case to facilitate the development of a cohesive national policy. Furthermore, the court has ordered that all related cases pending in various High Courts will be transferred to the Supreme Court for resolution.
Municipal authorities must adhere to guidelines
Justice Nath also indicated that municipal authorities must adhere to specific guidelines outlined in the court's instructions. The court has lifted the previous ban on the release of stray dogs, reiterating that even those exhibiting aggressive behavior or infected with rabies will receive vaccinations.
This ruling modifies the earlier order, which mandated the permanent relocation of stray dogs from the streets of Delhi-NCR to designated shelters and prescribed strict penalties for anyone obstructing the capture of these animals. The court's current stance reflects a shift towards a more standardized approach to managing the stray dog population across the nation.