New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR should be picked up from residential localities within eight weeks and taken to dedicated dog shelters. The top court also said that if any organisation tried to hamper this exercise, it will face strict action.
The judgment was passed by the bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan. The bench was hearing the matter as the top court took note of the rising incidents of stray dog attacks in the Delhi-NCR.
"We are not doing this for us, it is for the public interest. So, no sentiments of any nature should be involved. Action should be taken at the earliest," Justice Pardiwala said as quoted by NDTV.
"Pick up dogs from all localities and shift them to far-off places. For the time being, forget the rules," Justice Pardiwala told amicus curiae Gaurav Agarwala.
The Bench said that as of now, the dog shelters be created to accommodate around 5,000 stray dogs and sufficient personnel should be deployed there to sterilise and immunise the canines, reported PTI.
The bench added that the stray dogs be kept at dog shelters and not be released on streets, colonies and public places. "We are issuing these directions keeping larger public interest in mind," the bench said, adding that infants, young children should not at any cost fall prey to stray dog bites leading to rabies.
Justice Pardiwala also sought opinion from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on the issue. Justice Pardiwala was told that a site in Delhi had been identified for relocating stray dogs, however, the plan to relocate the stray dogs had been stalled after a stay order obtained by animal rights activists, reported NDTV.
All these animal activists, will they be able to bring back those who have fallen prey to rabies? We need to make streets absolutely free of stray dogs," the bench said as quoted by the media house.
The top court also directed the authorities to create a helpline within a week so that all dog bite cases are reported immediately.
The Supreme Court on July 28 had taken suo motu cognisance of a media report of a dog bite incident leading to rabies in Delhi and adjoining areas.
