Pick up all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR and move them to shelters within 8 weeks: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has ordered the removal of all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR within eight weeks, mandating their relocation to dedicated shelters. The court directed authorities to establish and maintain these shelters, prohibiting the release of dogs back onto the streets. This decision follows concerns over dog bites and rabies cases, prompting initiatives like microchipping and anti-rabies awareness campaigns by the MCD. The court warned against obstructing the removal process.
New Delhi: In a significant direction, the Supreme Court has ordered that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR should be picked up and put in dedicated shelters within eight weeks. These shelters have to be established by the authorities concerned, the apex court said.
The court also directed civil bodies and other agencies to coordinate efforts to establish adequate shelter facilities within the given timeframe, and ensure that the strays are removed from public places.
No stray dog should be released back onto the streets once moved to a shelter, the top court added. It directed that stray dogs should be kept at shelters and not released on streets, colonies, or public places. The Delhi government, the MCD, and the NDMC have been instructed by the court to begin picking up stray dogs from all localities.
"The State of NCT Delhi, MCD and NDMC is directed to create dog shelters and report this Court creation of such infrastructure within 8 weeks. The dog shelters should have sufficient staff to sterilise and immunise. The dog shelter would be monitored by CCTV," the order pointed out.
The court also issued a warning that action would be taken against any person or organisation trying to obstruct the removal of stray dogs. It underlined that under no circumstances should infants or young children fall victim to such dog attacks.
"If any individual or organization that comes in the way of picking stray dogs or rounding them up, we will proceed to take action against any such resistance," the court added.
Last month, the top court had taken suo motu cognisance of a media report about incidents of dog bites resulting in rabies. Earlier this month, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had declared plans to upgrade animal birth control centres and start zone-wise anti-rabies awareness campaigns to address the stray dog menace. The MCD had said in its statement that its centres — operating with the help of different NGOs — will soon start implanting microchips in dogs to record if they are sterilised and note other key details, which would make it easier to monitor and track the canines.
PETA India reacts
Communities think of neighbourhood dogs as family, and displacement and jailing of dogs is not scientific and has never worked, pointed out PETA India, after the SC order.
"According to a population survey conducted in 2022–23, Delhi has around 10 lakh community dogs, with less than half sterilised. Forced removal … will cause uproar in communities that care deeply for them. It will also ultimately do nothing to curb the dog population, reduce rabies or prevent dog bite incidents,” PETA added.
PETA India also said that building enough shelters is not feasible and that displacement could lead to territorial conflicts and problems like starvation.
It said: "That’s why, the government has required that community dogs be sterilised since 2001 — a procedure which calms them — and during which they are also vaccinated against rabies.”