I will look into it: CJI BR Gavai after stray dog matter mentioned in Supreme Court

Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai on Wednesday assured that he will look into the recent controversy concerning removal of stray dogs from Delhi streets.

The matter was mentioned before the CJI by a lawyer, who took objection to an order passed by the apex court on August 11 directing removal of all stray dogs.

"This is with regard to community dogs issue...There is an earlier judgment of this court which says there cannot be indiscriminate killing of canines of which Justice Karol was a part of. It says compassion for all living beings has to be there," the lawyer said.

"But the other judge bench has already passed orders. I will look into this," CJI Gavai said.

A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan had on August 11 ordered the Delhi government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) to start removing stray dogs from all localities in Delhi and shift them to animal shelters.

The Court on August 11 said that all localities should be made free of stray dogs and there should not be any compromise.

"NCT Delhi, MCD, NMDC shall at earlier start picking up stray dogs from all localities from more particularly vulnerable localities. How to do it is for the authorities to look into and if they have to create a force, do it at earliest. However, this should be the first and foremost exercise to make all localities free of stray dogs. There should not be any compromise in undertaking the exercise," the Bench said in its order.

Pertinently, the Bench on Monday also said that if any individual or organisation creates obstruction to the exercise, the Court will take strict action against them including contempt of court.

The Court also directed the State and municipal authorities to create dog shelters with sufficient staff to sterilise and immunise them.

It also ordered creation of a helpline to report cases of dog bites.

Pertinently, the Bench of Justice Pardiwala also criticised animal rights activists for obstructing removal of stray dogs.

"All these animal activists, will they be able bring back who have fallen prey to rabies," the Bench had demanded.

In a nutshell, the August 11 order said the following:

- Remove stray dogs from all localities in Delhi-NCR;

- Contempt of court action against animal activists who obstruct removal;

- Delhi government, MCD, NDMC should create dog shelters within 8 weeks;

- Maintain daily record of stray dogs captured and detained;

- Not a single stray dog should be released;

- Create helpline within one week to report dog bites;

- Publish details about places where Rabies vacancies are available.

The order was passed in a suo motu case initiated by it over umpteen incidents of rabies and deaths from stray dog bites.

The order led to widespread protests by animal rights activists, many of whom took to the streets.

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