Delhi NCR Stray Dog Removal Orders Halted by SC Pending Consideration of Appeals
The Supreme Court of India has temporarily stayed the mass relocation order of stray dogs in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), following widespread protests and criticism from animal welfare groups.
The three-judge special bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria, made the decision to halt the removal and relocation order of stray dogs from streets to shelters.
The initial directive, passed by a two-judge bench on August 11, mandated the authorities to pick up all stray dogs, sterilize, vaccinate, and relocate them permanently to shelters without releasing them back to the streets. However, this order faced opposition due to concerns about inadequate shelter facilities and the argument that the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, which sterilizes and vaccinates dogs before releasing them back, is the only lawful and humane approach.
The three-judge bench not only stayed the relocation but also prohibited feeding stray dogs in public places, warning of actions if violated. The court has asked NGOs and dog lovers who contested the relocation order to deposit specific sums to be heard in the case.
The controversy arose due to concerns about public safety, citing millions of dog bite cases and rabies deaths. However, experts and activists warn that shelters are ill-equipped to handle such a large-scale removal, making it impractical.
The Supreme Court emphasized the intent of public safety but acknowledged the need to balance it with the legal framework and ABC Rules, which prescribe that sterilized dogs should be released back to their habitats rather than permanently confined.
The August 11 orders from the apex court directed that stray dogs in Delhi NCR be moved to shelter homes. The decision pertains to pleas seeking to stay the directions passed by the Supreme Court on August 11 to remove stray dogs to shelter homes. The orders were reserved by Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria on Thursday.
The Supreme Court's August 11 orders affect the handling of stray dogs in the Delhi National Capital Region. The orders were passed by a different three-judge bench consisting of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, who directed authorities in Delhi-NCR to start picking up stray dogs from all localities immediately.
The earlier orders reserved by Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria on Thursday pertain to pleas seeking to stay the directions passed by the apex court on August 11. The pleas to stay the August 11 order from the Supreme Court were heard by this three-judge bench on Thursday.
References: [1] The Indian Express, "Supreme Court stays order on relocation of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR", September 9, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/supreme-court-stays-order-on-relocation-of-stray-dogs-in-delhi-ncr-8382724/ [2] Hindustan Times, "Supreme Court stays order on relocation of stray dogs in Delhi NCR", September 9, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/supreme-court-stays-order-on-relocation-of-stray-dogs-in-delhi-ncr-101663321056446.html [3] The Wire, "Supreme Court's stay on Delhi-NCR dog relocation order: What it means for the animals and the people", September 10, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://thewire.in/law/supreme-courts-stay-on-delhi-ncr-dog-relocation-order-what-it-means-for-the-animals-and-the-people
The Supreme Court's temporary stay on the mass relocation order of stray dogs in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) is a significant development in the ongoing politics surrounding policy-and-legislation and general-news issues. Animal welfare groups, NGOs, and dog lovers have contested the relocation order, arguing that it violates the legal framework and ABC Rules. The controversy continues as the court has asked those contesting the order to deposit specific sums to be heard in the case.
