Supreme Court to give order on feeding stray dogs in institutions on November 7

The Supreme Court on Monday deferred its hearing on the nationwide stray dog issue to November 7, saying it will issue fresh directions next week, particularly regarding the growing problem within government and public sector institutions where employees are feeding and encouraging stray dogs.

A special three-judge bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria, directed the amicus curiae to compile a detailed chart based on affidavits received from states and Union Territories, containing statistics on stray dog populations, dog-bite incidents, sterilisation and vaccination figures, available shelters, and the number of dogs placed in long-term facilities.

"Apart from recording the appearance and affidavits and everything, we will also be issuing some directions with respect to the institutional menace which is being faced in government institutions, public sector institutions and other institutions where the employees are supporting, feeding and encouraging dogs in that area. For that, we will definitely be issuing some directions," the bench noted.

The data will also cover the level of compliance with earlier Supreme Court orders.

At the start of the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that most states and UTs had filed their compliance affidavits. The bench recorded the appearances of several chief secretaries, noting that a principal secretary was present on behalf of Kerala, which had sought exemption for its chief secretary.

The top court allowed Kerala's exemption plea and ordered that the Animal Welfare Board of India be made a party to the proceedings.

It also clarified that the personal presence of chief secretaries will not be required in future hearings unless there is a failure to comply with court directives. "We will call them again if the compliance is deficient," the bench said.

No detailed hearing was held on Monday and the court simply listed the matter for orders on November 7.

The case stemmed from the court's ongoing scrutiny of state-level implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules. On October 27, the top court had pulled up several states and Union Territories for failing to file their compliance affidavits despite being directed to do so on August 22. Only West Bengal, Telangana, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had submitted their reports by then.

Expressing sharp displeasure, the bench had observed that the continuing spate of dog-bite incidents was "showing the country down" in international forums.

Consequently, the court had summoned the chief secretaries of all defaulting states and UTs to appear in person on November 3.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had widened the scope of the matter beyond Delhi-NCR, directing all states and Union Territories to be impleaded and to furnish detailed affidavits on their available resources necessary to enforce the ABC Rules.

The ongoing suo motu case was initiated on July 28 after media reports highlighted rising cases of stray dog bites, particularly among children, leading to rabies deaths in the national capital.

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