SC orders removal of all stray dogs from premises of educational institutions, hospitals, bus and railway stations
The apex court directed that the canines be sent to designated dog shelters while adding that they must not be released back to the same place where they were picked up.
After a controversial July order on stray dogs, the Supreme Court on Friday ordered the removal of all stray dogs from the premises of educational institutions, hospitals, bus, and railway stations, and instructed that they won’t be released back in the same area after sterilisation.
The apex court directed that the canines be sent to designated dog shelters while adding that they must not be released back to the same place where they were picked up.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria is monitoring stray dog-bite incidents through suo motu proceedings.
The court directed that the removal of dogs should be done within eight weeks, adding that the matter will be heard further on January 13.
The case was initiated on July 28 over a report on dog bites leading to rabies, particularly among children, in the national capital.
The court has ordered all states, union territories, the National Highways Authority, and local bodies to remove stray cattle from national highways, state highways, and other roads. It also directed them to create a special highway patrol team to catch stray cattle on the roads and move them to shelter homes, where they can be properly cared for.
“All national highways will have helpline numbers for reporting stray cattle. The chief secretaries of all states will ensure strict compliance with these directives,” it said.
In July, the top court ruled that all stray dogs in Delhi and nearby areas should be moved from residential neighbourhoods to shelters, following a rise in dog bite incidents and rabies-related deaths.
The court also instructed municipal authorities to set up specific areas where people can feed stray dogs. It said feeding them in public places would not be allowed, and strict action would be taken against anyone who violates this rule.
SOURCE: THE STATESMAN
