A Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria made the remarks after hearing the stray dogs case for four consecutive days. The matter will next be heard on January 20.
Observing that cases of stray dog bites were rising and lamenting the lack of accountability, Justice Nath said, “For every dog bite, death or injury caused to children or the elderly, we are likely going to fix heavy compensation on the state for not doing anything.”
Justice Nath also noted that feeding stray dogs may be contributing to the problem. “Take them to your house. Why should dogs be littering around, biting and scaring people?” he asked.
The Bench urged counsel to allow the court to task the Union government, state authorities, and other bodies with setting the process in motion.
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“Allow us to pass an order. We need to spend half a day with the States and the Union to see whether they have a plan of action or not. The problem has multiplied a thousand times. We just want implementation of statutory provisions. Allow us to do that. Allow us to work. Allow us to proceed further,” the Bench said.
In an order dated November 7, the Supreme Court had directed authorities to capture, sterilise, vaccinate, and then transfer stray dogs to shelters. The court had said that all public places should be free and safe, and that strays should not be released. In another hearing, however, it had directed that dogs be released back into the same localities from where they were taken after sterilisation and vaccination.
The court heard a series of arguments both in support of and against these directions.
Senior Advocate Arvind Datar argued in favour of the court’s order and sought an extension of the directions to airports as well.
Several counsels opposed sheltering the dogs, prompting the court to remark that such emotions appeared to be reserved only for dogs and animals, and not for humans.
