Stray Dogs: Judgment reserved on the case related to stray dogs; SG said- issue needs to be resolved, Sibal said- debate is necessary

The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its decision on a case related to stray dogs in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). A three-member bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice NV Anjaria heard the case. During this, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court that children are dying. This issue needs to be resolved, not disputed. No one hates animals. More than 37 lakh cases of dog bites have been registered in the country in a year. In the case, senior advocate Kapil Sibal told the Supreme Court that the situation is 'extremely serious' and the matter needs to be debated in depth. The order directing the authorities to pick up stray dogs in Delhi-NCR on August 11 should be stayed.

Delhi government's argument

The Delhi government on Thursday told the Supreme Court that children are dying due to bites from rabies-spreading dogs. The issue of stray dogs should be resolved, not disputed. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi government, told a three-judge bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath that more than 37 lakh cases of dog bites are registered in the country in a year. Mehta said, 'No one is an animal hater. No one hates them.'

Sibal sought a stay on the decision.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for an NGO that takes care of dogs, said the situation is very serious. The matter needs to be debated in depth. Sibal sought a stay on certain directions passed by the Supreme Court on August 11, including directions to Delhi-NCR authorities to start picking up stray dogs from all areas as soon as possible and shift them to shelters.

Read the Supreme Court order.

Earlier, a two-member bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan on August 11 directed the Delhi-NCR authorities to start picking up stray dogs from all areas as soon as possible and shift them to shelters. The bench had directed the authorities to immediately set up shelters and submit a report on the construction of such infrastructure within eight weeks. The court had said that stray dogs would be kept in shelters only and would not be left on the streets, colonies, or public places. On August 11, the Supreme Court issued several directions while hearing a suo motu case initiated on July 28 in the case of rabies in children, especially due to stray dog bites in the national capital.