Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court has issued several instructions to protect major public places from the growing menace of stray dogs and to remove stray cattle and other animals from highways.
A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria heard the suo motu case on the management of stray dogs across the country. They ordered that every educational institution, hospital, public sports complex, bus stand, and railway station be properly fenced to prevent the entry of stray dogs.
The Bench directed local municipal bodies to regularly monitor such premises and shift the animals to designated shelters after mandatory vaccination and sterilisation under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023. The Supreme Court clarified that dogs removed from these public places should not be returned to the same locations. It also directed periodic inspections. The Bench also ordered the immediate removal of stray cattle and other animals from highways.
“The Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories should ensure strict compliance. Otherwise, the officers will be held personally responsible,” the apex court ordered, and sought a compliance status report within eight weeks on the arrangements adopted to implement the directions.
Previously, the Supreme Court expressed displeasure with states and UTs over shortcomings in implementing the ABC rules. The Bench emphasised that numerous incidents involving stray animals not only compromised public safety but also tarnish the country’s image internationally.
“Such incidents are continuously taking place, which also tarnish the country’s image internationally. We are also reading news reports,” it remarked. Blurb: The Supreme Court clarified that dogs removed from these public places should not be returned to the same locations and directed periodic inspections.
