The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a circular directed to each of its offices and officers requiring strict guidelines of food disposal within the precincts of the court with the objective of curbing the increasing number of stray dogs within the court premises. The internal memo mentioned an “alarming rise in the number of cases involving the overall sighting of stray dogs, some of whom were even seen inside the corridors and in fact, lifts of the supreme court” on several occasions.
The circular laid emphasis on the fact that whatever explains food should be buried in well-covered dustbins with no food being left uncovered in any open area or in any uncovered containers whatsoever. The Supreme Court emphasized that the action is necessary to avoid the situation when animals are attracted to the area to get food and, as a result, minimize the development of dog bites as well as to ensure adequate levels of hygiene. The directive was strongly emphasized by staff members and visitors so that everyone is safe.
This has been done after a hearing in a suo motu case was conducted on Monday in the increase of incidents related to dog bites in Delhi-NCR. The bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan directed the rounding up of all stray dogs in the area within eight weeks and putting them into shelters, threatening that any legal action would be taken against any person hindering the action. Competent authorities had to establish a facility to accommodate around 5,000 dogs in six to eight weeks, with plans of increasing the shelters in the future.
But the order has raised criticism among animal rights activists and political leaders. The Office of the Chief Minister directed it as impractical, illogical, and illegal according to the India chapter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), as the mass movement might hamper the animals and people. The argument has reached a crossroads affecting the public health issue, animal welfare, and legal viability.
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