Will animal rights activists bring back Rabies victims? Supreme Court orders removal of stray dogs in Delhi

The Supreme Court on Monday 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.

A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan 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.

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

"If any individual or organization that comes in the way of picking stray dogs or rounding them up, we will proceed to take action against any such resistance," the Court added.

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

"The State of NCT Delhi, MCD and NDMC is directed to create dog shelters and report this Court creation of such infrastructure within 8 weeks. The dog shelters should have sufficient staff to sterilise and immunise. The dog shelter would be monitored by CCTV," the order said.

Pertinently, the Court 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 demanded.

The Court said that the order is being passed for public interest and dogs should be shifted to far off places.

"We are not doing this for us—it is for the public interest. so no sentiments of any nature should be involved. Action should be taken at the earlier. Pick up dogs from all localities and shift them to far off places," the Bench orally remarked.

In a nutshell

- 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 Court was hearing a suo motu case initiated by it over umpteen incidents of rabies and deaths from stray dog bites.

During the hearing today, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said he had interacted with the parents of a some victim-children and they had conveyed their appreciation to the Court's initiative.

He further said that although a site in Delhi was designated for relocating stray dogs, the plan was stalled after dog rights activists obtained a stay order.

This prompted the Bench to slam the animal rights activists.

The Court also heard the suggestions put forth by Amicus Curiae Gaurav Agrawal.

After hearing the counsel, the Court noted that the situation is grim.

"What we have been able to gather is the situation is grim. Immediate steps need to be taken. In the course of hearing, learned Amicus provided us with some information. Mr. Mehta stressed grave concern about various areas of NCT as well as areas on outskirts. According to Mr. Mehta some step stern steps need to taken," the Court said in its order.

Hence, it proceeded to direct establishment of dog shelters within 8 weeks and also ordered immediate removal of all stray dogs.

"MCD, NDMC and appropriate authority of Noida and Gurugram, all authorities are directed to maintain record of daily stray dogs captured and detained. However, what is important, and without which the entire exercise would go futile, not a single stray dog should be released and if we know that this has happened, we will take stern action," the Court stated in its order.

The Court ordered creation of a helpline to report cases of dog bites.

"We direct authorities referred above to create helpline within one week so that cases of dog bites are immediately reported. Action must be taken to round up dogs within four hours from complaints received. Any resistance by any individual and organization would be viewed strictly and we may proceed for contempt in coming in the way of this Court. The said dog shall be captured, sterilized and immunized as required by rules and shall not be released," Bench ordered.

Further, the Court noted that availability of rabies vacancies is a major concern. Hence, it directed the following:

"The authorities concerned more particularly Govt. Of NCT Delhi is directed to put detailed information about the place where such vacancies are available, the stock of vacancies and the number of persons who report for treatment on monthly basis," the Bench ordered.

The directions should be complied with and implemented strictly and any hindrances that may be caused in smooth and effective implementation of aforesaid directions would be viewed as contempt of court and we shall be proceed to take appropriate action, the Court warned.

The matter will be heard again after six weeks.

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