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During a fresh hearing on stray dogs, the Supreme Court examined petitions highlighting public safety concerns and administrative lapses. The bench clarified it never ordered removal of all street dogs, stressing humane and rule-based action limited to institutional areas.
“Not Ordered Removal of Every Dog,” Supreme Court Clarifies
New Delhi: The Supreme Court resumed hearing petitions related to stray dogs on Thursday. The main issue before the court was how to control the threat posed to the public by stray animals in cities and what role the municipal corporations and other civic agencies should play in this regard. The petitions claimed that administrative negligence was leading to an increase in stray dog attacks, raising concerns about the safety of children and the elderly.
During the hearing, senior advocate CU Singh argued that simply removing dogs would not solve the problem. He stated that rats and monkeys are also a major problem in large cities like Delhi. If dogs were suddenly removed, the rat population could increase, as dogs maintain a natural balance. He argued that targeting a single animal was not a practical solution.
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Responding to CU Singh's argument, Justice Sandeep Mehta jokingly asked, "If rats are the problem and cats are their enemy, should we encourage cats?" The court's comment indicated the need to approach the problem from a broader perspective. The court also clarified that it never directed the removal of every stray dog from every street.
The bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria clarified its earlier order, stating that the removal of stray dogs was only directed from institutional areas—such as schools, hospitals, and government premises. This did not mean that all dogs should be captured from the streets. The court emphasized that action must be taken within the established rules and that humane treatment of animals is essential.
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In Wednesday's hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that capturing all dogs is neither possible nor economically feasible. He said that shelter homes have limitations and that a solution can only be found through scientific methods. The Supreme Court remarked that "prevention is always better than cure."
The court also acknowledged that the problem stems from the lack of proper enforcement of existing laws and regulations. The Supreme Court indicated that the administration must address the stray dog problem with a balanced, scientific, and humane approach, ensuring public safety and respecting animal rights.
