SC takes suo motu cognizance of rising cases of stray dog bites in Delhi

Directing that the facts be taken on record, the bench said, “We take suo motu cognizance. The Registry shall register the petition and register it as suo motu.” The bench directed that the matter, along with the news report, be placed before Chief Justice of India B R Gavai for appropriate orders.

The remarks by the bench come after the SC, earlier this month, had come down heavily on a woman in Noida who had alleged that she was being harassed for feeding community dogs.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing an appeal on July 15, moved by one Reema Shah, whose plea to the Allahabad High Court to issue directions to the Noida Authority and others not to harass her was turned down.

The bench asked Shah’s counsel, “Should we leave every lane, every road open for these large-hearted people?”

Making its displeasure evident, the court added, “There is all space for these animals, no space for humans.” It then asked, “Why don’t you (appellant) feed them in your own house? Nobody is stopping you.”

The last stray dog census was held in 2016 in Delhi. The estimated population is expected to have reached around 70 lakh.

Earlier this month, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi formed a 12-member panel, including councillors and officials of the veterinary department, to establish shelter homes in each zone to effectively address the issue of stray dog menace.

Standing committee chairperson Satya Sharma said that the committee would prepare a complete action plan for the construction and operation of these shelter homes.

“This will include identifying suitable locations, assessing resource requirements, budget estimation, and coordinating with NGOs and expert organizations associated with public health and animal welfare,” she said, adding that the committee will develop suitable models for each zone and submit its report to the Standing Committee within a month.