Supreme Courts orders immediate capture of Delhi-NCR stray dogs

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a stern and unequivocal directive to civic authorities in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), ordering them to immediately begin catching, sterilizing, and permanently relocating stray dogs to shelters. In a move to address the escalating issue of dog bites and the threat of rabies, the top court stated that this order must be implemented without any compromise, signaling a no-nonsense approach to the growing public health and safety concern.

The court's directive, delivered by a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, emphasized the urgency of the matter. It specified that the NCT of Delhi, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) must "at the earliest start picking up stray dogs from all localities, from more particularly vulnerable localities and cities." The bench left the operational details to the authorities, stating, "How to do it is for the authorities to look into, and if they have to create a force, do it earlier."

Calling the situation a "serious situation," the court affirmed that there should be no room for negotiation or inaction. "There should not be any compromise in undertaking any exercise," the bench stressed, highlighting the critical nature of the issue. The court's firm stance reflects a growing concern over the inability of local bodies to effectively manage the stray dog population, which has led to numerous incidents of bites and has become a source of fear for many citizens.

In a powerful and direct warning, the Supreme Court also addressed potential resistance to its order. The bench declared, "If any individual or organisation comes in the way of picking stray dogs or rounding them up, we will proceed to take action against any such resistance." This statement sends a clear message to animal welfare activists and organizations who might attempt to obstruct the process, underscoring the court's priority on public safety and health.