The Supreme Court has also said that the captured dogs will not be released back in the same areas under any circumstances. The purpose of this order is to make the national capital free of stray dogs.
The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the increasing incidents of dog bites in Delhi-NCR. The court has directed the Delhi government, MCD and NDMC to immediately start catching stray dogs from all areas. The court said that after catching these dogs, they will be rehabilitated. The court also said that no kind of sentiments will be given place in this matter and the safety of the general public is most important.
The Supreme Court has directed Delhi MCD and NDMC to start catching stray dogs from all areas with immediate effect. The court said that this step is necessary to keep children and senior citizens safe so that they can go to parks and streets without any fear.
The court has also made it clear that the captured dogs will not be released back in the same areas under any circumstances. The purpose of this order is to make the national capital free of stray dogs.
Instructions for building a shelter home…
The Supreme Court has directed the Delhi government, MCD and NDMC to build shelter homes for about 5000 dogs within 8 weeks. The court said that these shelters should have adequate staff for sterilization and vaccination of dogs. The court has ordered the authorities to prepare this infrastructure and increase its number at regular intervals. The court said that this action is necessary because by the time the shelters are built, more people may become victims of dog bites.
Helpline and strict action…
The Supreme Court has also ordered all the concerned authorities to set up a helpline within a week so that complaints of dog bites can be registered immediately. The court has directed that the dog should be caught within 4 hours of receiving the complaint. The court has warned that if any person or organization obstructs the implementation of these instructions, it will be considered contempt of court. The court said that the ban imposed by the Delhi High Court on a dog shelter in a village will also be heard soon.
The court said that immediate steps should be taken to ensure that children, women and the elderly remain safe on the streets and are not at risk of rabies.
Instructions for Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram as well
The Supreme Court has given the same instructions to the authorities of Delhi as well as Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram. The court has asked to catch stray dogs at all places, build shelter homes and start helplines. The court said that it is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure that people can go out without any fear. The court said that these instructions should be strictly followed and any kind of compromise will not be tolerated.
‘Delhi will be made rabies free…’
Delhi Development Minister Kapil Mishra on Monday said the Delhi government will implement the Supreme Court’s order to shift stray dogs in the city to shelter homes in a time-bound manner. He said the decision will pave the way to make Delhi free from the fear of rabies and stray animals.
Kapil Mishra said in a social media post, “Under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Animal Department of the Delhi Government will study this order in collaboration with all the agencies and move forward towards its proper implementation.”
