The Supreme Court has reserved its decision on whether to stay its controversial August 11 directive requiring blanket removal of stray dogs across Delhi-NCR. The case has rapidly evolved, sparking public outcry and legal debate.
What’s the Order?
On August 11, a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan ruled that all stray dogs must be captured and relocated to shelters within eight weeks. No dog was to be returned to the streets—even if sterilized. The order also mandated sterilization, vaccination, helpline services, CCTV surveillance, and penalties for obstruction.
Why the Rehear?
Criticism flooded in from animal rights activists, residents, and public figures. Maneka Gandhi called the order “unworkable and rubbish,” warning that removing dogs won’t solve the issue unless root causes like unregulated meat shops are addressed.
In response, Chief Justice B.R. Gavai reassigned the matter to a three-judge bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria, which convened on August 14.
What Happened Today
- The new bench declined to stay the August 11 order—meaning it still stands for now—but reserved its ruling on whether to maintain or pause it.
- The court flagged the failure of local authorities to enforce existing rules—such as sterilization and vaccination under the ABC (Animal Birth Control) policies—as a major driver of the stray dog crisis.
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta highlighted the alarming public safety risks, citing WHO data on dog bite fatalities—especially among children—and framed the situation as ‘vocal minority vs. silent majority suffering’.
- In contrast, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Project Kindness, argued that shelters are simply not ready. He warned that rushed roundups could lead to animal cruelty or worse.
- A recent study even showed that over 98% of human–street dog interactions in India are peaceful, complicating the narrative that these animals pose a consistent danger.
Why This Matters
- No immediate stay means authorities could move ahead with dog removal—but the final outcome is still uncertain.
- The court is conscious of balancing two urgent but overlapping priorities: human safety, especially from rabies, and humane treatment of animals.
- The debate reflects a deeper failure in policy implementation—not just lapses in animal welfare, but in civic responsibility.
What's Next
- The final verdict from this bench is now eagerly awaited.
- Any action at the ground level—relocation drives, public protests, or shelter expansion is in limbo until then.
- If you’re interested, I can help you explore humane alternatives already in practice like sterilization drives and community care models—that aim for coexistence, not just control.
For More Intresting News Follow: DailyBharat
