New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the removal of all stray dogs from the streets of Delhi-NCR to designated shelters, in a bid to curb rising
incidents of attacks, especially on children. Hearing the matter on its own, the bench said the move was “for nothing else but public good” and directed that the shelters be equipped with CCTV cameras “to ensure that dogs are not released”, while authorities must begin rounding up strays “from all localities, more particularly vulnerable localities and cities”. At the outset, Justice Pardiwala clarified, “We have taken this suo motu for nothing else but public good… no other sentiments should be involved in this.” Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta thanked the bench, noting that parents he had spoken to had expressed appreciation and emphasised the need to safeguard children’s lives. Advocate Agarwal suggested creating dog shelters along with infrastructure such as dog vans. To this, Justice Pardiwala responded, “You want them to be imparted training? Let’s look at reality, we may need to pick up… round up strays with whatever means to ensure dog-free locality and that’s how children and aged will feel safe.” In its order, the court directed the state of NCT Delhi, MCD and NDMC to create dog shelters within eight weeks, staffed adequately to sterilise and immunise the animals. The shelters must be monitored via CCTV “to ensure that dogs are not released” and authorities must start picking up strays “from all localities, more particularly vulnerable localities and cities”. “If they have to create a force, do it at the earliest,” the court said, stressing that the “first and foremost exercise” should be to make all areas free of stray dogs. It warned that any individual or organisation obstructing the process would face action, including contempt proceedings. The bench also ordered the creation of a helpline within one week for immediate reporting of dog bite cases. The authorities must ensure that the stray dogs involved are rounded up within four hours of a complaint. “Any resistance by any individual and organisation would be viewed strictly and we may proceed for contempt in coming in the way of this Court,” the order stated, adding that the captured animals should be sterilised, immunised and not released.
