New Delhi, August 16 — The Supreme Court has issued fresh directions on the handling of stray dogs, ruling that feeding them on public roads will no longer be allowed. Instead, municipal authorities such as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) must identify and develop specific feeding points for the animals.
The decision was delivered by a bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria, which modified its earlier order on the subject. In an effort to bring uniformity, the Court has also decided that all cases concerning stray dog control across India will now be heard only by the apex court.
Key Highlights of the Order
- Sterilisation and Vaccination: Strays are to be sterilised and vaccinated before being released back to the localities they were taken from. Dogs that are rabid or dangerously aggressive will not be returned to public areas.
- No Feeding on Roads: Individuals will not be permitted to feed dogs on streets, as the practice has been linked to accidents, public inconvenience, and disputes.
- Penalties for Violations: Those who continue to feed dogs in public places may face legal action.
- Dedicated Feeding Areas: Local bodies are required to earmark specific feeding zones in each ward, keeping in mind the stray population in the area.
- Information Boards: Clear signboards must be installed around these designated spots to guide the public.
The earlier directive for the large-scale removal of strays in Delhi-NCR had led to sharp criticism from animal welfare organisations and prominent citizens. With the revised order, the Court has attempted to strike a balance between ensuring public safety and protecting animal rights.
Justice Nath noted that civic authorities will now be duty-bound to implement these measures, ensuring stray dog management is carried out in a systematic and humane manner across the country.
