New Delhi: The Supreme Court’s order on relocating street dogs in Delhi-NCR has stirred the hornet’s nest. The SC order directs civic bodies in Delhi and the NCR to immediately capture, sterilise, and relocate stray dogs to shelters, warning of strict action against any obstruction.
Maneka Gandhi warns of ‘unintended consequences’
In an exclusive conversation with News9, BJP MP Maneka Gandhi warned that mass culling or large-scale removal of dogs could worsen the monkey menace. She called for the expansion of Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres to manage stray dog populations humanely and effectively.
While the SC order sets out a five-point plan, including CCTV-monitored shelters, the pickup of 5,000 strays from high-risk zones within six weeks, and a helpline for dog bite and rabies cases, the BJP MP says that it is not feasible.
CJI promises to review sterilisation and vaccination plea
Chief Justice of India B R Gavai has agreed to look into a plea by the Conference for Human Rights (India), which challenged a Delhi High Court order that disposed of a Public Interest Litigation seeking directions for the sterilisation and vaccination of community dogs.
The Supreme Court bench, also comprising Justice K V Viswanathan, issued notices to the Centre and the Delhi Government in July 2024. On Wednesday, the CJI noted that another bench had already passed an order on strays but assured that the matter would be examined. Meanwhile, NGOs working with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi have said that they are uncertain how to enforce the current order, citing a lack of shelter space.
In May 2024, a different Supreme Court bench stressed that “there cannot be any indiscriminate killings of canines” and that authorities must act within the “mandate and spirit” of existing laws, upholding compassion as a constitutional value.