Relocate stray dogs from Ambala judicial complex to city outskirts: Punjab and Haryana High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently directed Ambala's Deputy Commissioner (DC) to relocate stray dogs from the vicinity of judicial complex to the outskirts of the city. [Rav Pratap Singh vs Anurag Aggarwal and Ors.].The judicial complex houses official residences of judicial officers. In an order passed on October 13, Justice Arvind Singh Sangwan observed that inviting e-Tenders for the sterilization and vaccination of the stray dogs in Ambala was not an effective and immediate relief as judicial officers were unable to step out even for walks.."However, the aforesaid action (inviting tenders for sterlization and vaccination) is not an effective and immediate relief to the Judicial Officers, who are facing the eminent danger of the stray dogs as they are even unable to go for morning or evening walk, therefore, the Deputy Commissioner, Ambala is directed to immediately look into the matter and remove the stray dogs from the nearby areas of the Judicial Complex, where the residences of the Judicial Officers are situated and rehabilitate the stray dogs at the outskirts of the city, which is less populated area," the Court said. .On September 19, 2023, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Ambala, Phalit Sharma wrote a letter to the High Court highlighting the serious issue of stray dog attacks in the vicinity of the Sessions House and Judicial Officers' residences. He detailed multiple incidents where he, his official staff and the general public had faced frightening encounters with stray dogs. Despite his repeated requests to the Deputy Commissioner and Municipal Commissioner of Ambala to address the issue in accordance with the High Court's directives, no concrete actions had been taken.In his complaint, Sharma cited the Supreme Court's attention to the issue in various judgments, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the lives of human beings while dealing with stray dog menace. He further noted that both the District Administration and the Municipal Committee of Ambala were facing contempt of court proceedings in the local Civil Court for violating the High Court's orders.On October 12, the High Court took cognizance of the matter and ordered that the contempt of court cases be attached with Sharma's complaint.It then heard the matter on October 13.The State of Haryana, represented by the DC of Ambala, informed the court that the Urban Town Planner of the Municipal Corporation had initiated e-tenders for the sterilization and vaccination of stray dogs in Ambala..The Court stated that this was not an effective and immediate relief and directed the Deputy Commissioner to promptly address the situation by removing stray dogs from the nearby areas of the Judicial Complex, which houses the residences of Judicial Officers.The Court said that the dogs should be relocated to city's outskirts.The matter will be heard further on October 31..[Read Order]