The Supreme Court has sharply criticized states for their failure to submit essential action-taken reports concerning the ongoing stray dog crisis. Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria expressed significant displeasure, noting that the lack of compliance is negatively impacting India’s international image. Only West Bengal, Delhi, and Telangana have reportedly filed the required affidavits on the implementation of Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.
The court highlighted that Chief Secretaries of all other states, barring these three, are now summoned to appear in person on November 3rd. The bench emphasized that these officials should have been aware of the case’s gravity through widespread media coverage. They suggested that even without formal service, awareness through newspapers and social media should have prompted their action.
Justice Vikram Nath specifically pointed out that continuous incidents related to stray dogs are tarnishing the country’s reputation abroad. The court also addressed concerns about cruelty towards humans in the context of the stray dog issue and questioned the increasing number of parties seeking to intervene, urging for reasonable suggestions rather than overwhelming the court with numerous RWA (Resident Welfare Association) requests.
This directive stems from previous hearings where the court had ordered municipal authorities to round up stray dogs and build shelters, initially focusing on Delhi. The case has since expanded to encompass the entire nation, with pending High Court petitions being transferred to the Supreme Court for a unified approach.
