Supreme Court Revisited: Concerns Over Stray Dog Management in India

Stray Dog Debate Returns to Supreme Court

The ongoing discussion regarding stray dogs has once again reached the Supreme Court. An animal welfare organization has filed a new petition expressing concerns that the recent Supreme Court ruling is being misinterpreted.

According to reports, the organization named 'Animals Are People Too' has requested the Supreme Court to clarify that its order does not permit the indiscriminate killing or removal of stray dogs.

In its petition, the organization highlighted that the situation has become alarming following statements from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann about 'eliminating stray dogs' and reports of dogs being removed from Khalsa College.

The organization alleges that in some areas, there are attempts to enforce the court's order beyond legal boundaries.

It is important to note that on May 19, the Supreme Court stated that euthanasia could be performed on dogs that are rabid, suffering from incurable diseases, or are extremely aggressive, following the established legal procedures.

This ruling was issued by a bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice N.V. Anjaria in a suo motu case concerning stray dogs. The court remarked that incidents of dog attacks on children and the elderly are deeply concerning.

Last year, the Supreme Court also issued directives regarding the removal of stray dogs from public places and prohibited feeding dogs openly on the streets, stating that dogs could only be fed in designated areas.

In the new petition, the organization argues that under the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023, euthanasia can only be performed under specific circumstances and with established safety protocols. They assert that failure to adhere to these regulations would render such actions illegal.

The petition further states that there is no clear definition of 'aggressive dogs' in the regulations. This ambiguity allows local authorities to arbitrarily label regular stray dogs as dangerous, potentially leading to illegal killings.

The organization has called for a mandatory investigation by a special committee before any dog is declared 'aggressive.' This committee should include a government veterinarian, a representative from a recognized animal welfare organization, and a local administration official.

Additionally, the organization has requested the Supreme Court to instruct police directors across the country to prevent any incidents of poisoning or harming dogs under the guise of the court's orders.

The petition has been prepared by advocate Supantha Sinha and filed through advocate Aditya Jain. The Supreme Court is expected to hear this matter further.