SC To Pass Orders On Stray Dog Issue On Nov. 7
The apex court noted that Chief Secretaries of most States and Union Territories were present during the hearing: Reports
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday said it will issue directions on November 7 regarding the stray dog issue in institutions, including government and public sector organisations, where employees are allegedly feeding and encouraging stray dogs.
A special three-judge bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria said, “Apart from recording the appearances and affidavits, we will also be issuing some directions with respect to the institutional menace being faced in government, public sector, and other institutions where employees are supporting, feeding, and encouraging dogs in those areas. For that, we will definitely be issuing some directions.”
When one of the advocates requested to be heard before the court passed any orders, Justice Mehta responded, “For institutional matters, we are not going to hear any arguments at all. Sorry.”
The apex court noted that Chief Secretaries of most States and Union Territories were present during the hearing. It allowed the exemption plea filed by the Chief Secretary of Kerala, noting that the Principal Secretary of the State was present instead.
The bench also directed that the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) be made a party to the case. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that most States and UTs had filed their compliance affidavits.
“List for orders on November 7,” the court said, adding that the personal presence of Chief Secretaries would no longer be required unless there was a default in compliance with the court’s directives.
Earlier, on October 27, the court had directed the Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs, except West Bengal and Telangana, to appear before it on November 3 for failing to file compliance affidavits despite the court’s August 22 order on implementing the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.
The apex court had expressed displeasure over non-compliance and noted that only West Bengal, Telangana, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi had submitted their reports by the deadline. It had warned that Chief Secretaries of defaulting States and UTs would have to personally appear before it and explain the delay.
On October 27, the court criticised the continued rise in stray dog attacks and said such incidents were “showing the country in a bad light abroad.”
Earlier, the court had expanded the scope of the stray dog case beyond Delhi-NCR, making all States and UTs parties to the proceedings. It had also directed municipal authorities to file compliance affidavits with complete data on dog pounds, veterinarians, dog-catching staff, and specialised vehicles and cages available for enforcing the ABC Rules.
The suo motu case was initiated by the Supreme Court on July 28, following a media report highlighting a surge in stray dog bites and rabies cases, particularly among children, in the national capital.
