‘Begin by creating shelters for 5,000 dogs': SC's Aug 11 full order now out
The matter has since been referred to a larger bench of three judges for a hearing on August 14. Animals rights activists and several other sections questioned the August 11 order, arguing that it wasn't rooted in science even though the stray-dog issue needed to be addressed.
Under no circumstances should the dogs be released back onto the streets after being 'captured, sterilized, dewormed and immunized as required by Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023', as per the detailed order uploaded on the SC website on Wednesday.
Ordering immediate start of both exercises — that of rounding up the dogs, and the creation of infrastructure such as shelters and medical facilities — the order says these 'shall be undertaken simultaneously'.
'We do not want to hear about even a semblance of lethargy from the concerned authorities on the pre-text of awaiting the creation of shelters / pounds,' the order, however, adds. It warns authorities of strict action otherwise.
'The dog shelters/pounds should have sufficient personnel to sterilize, deworm and immunize stray dogs and also for looking after the stray dogs who would be detained,' it adds.
The two-judge bench took suo motu notice of the stray dog issue — citing a rise in cases of dog bites — and passed orders covering "all localities of Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad, Gurugram as well as areas on the outskirts".
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