The Delhi High Court on Monday (3 Aug..) directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to organise pilot camps in one ward each for the vaccination and sterilisation of stray dogs. The exercise is intended to test a structured approach to stray dog management while ensuring that the animals are not harmed or permanently removed from their localities.
The order was passed by a Division Bench of Justice Dinesh Mehta and Justice Rajneesh Kumar Gupta during the hearing of a suo motu public interest litigation monitoring compliance with the Supreme Court's directions on stray dog management.
Background of the Case
The proceedings arise from directions issued by the Supreme Court requiring High Courts to monitor implementation of measures concerning stray dogs, including vaccination, sterilisation and compliance with the Animal Birth Control Rules. Acting on those directions, the Delhi High Court has been examining the steps taken by civic authorities to manage the stray dog population while protecting public safety.
During the hearing, MCD informed the Court that Animal Birth Control centres have been identified across Delhi and that a pilot microchipping initiative has shown encouraging results. However, the civic body also acknowledged that there is no official census of stray dogs, with the estimated population standing at around eight lakh.
Court's Observations
Directing the launch of the pilot project, the Bench said,
"MCD and NDMC shall organise a camp, one ward each in its respective area, for vaccination and sterilisation of stray dogs. This shall be taken as a pilot project."
The Court instructed both civic bodies to widely publicise the camps in advance and display placards informing residents that dogs would not be sent to dog pounds and would only be brought to the camps for vaccination and sterilisation.
The Bench also suggested selecting areas with high public movement, such as the vicinity of Connaught Place or India Gate, so that the programme could demonstrate effective implementation in densely populated localities.
During the proceedings, Justice Mehta referred to the growing concern over dog bite incidents, observing that such incidents are a reality. At the same time, the Bench stressed the need to maintain a balanced approach towards animal welfare.
The Court remarked,
"We don't want any dog to die... This is not adversarial."
It further observed that the objective was to reduce risks to the public while ensuring that stray dogs continue to exist as part of the city's ecosystem.
The Bench also encouraged authorities to coordinate with responsible dog feeders and local volunteers to facilitate the identification and safe handling of stray dogs during the camps.
Court's Decision
Recording the assurance of the civic authorities, the High Court directed MCD and NDMC to identify one ward each and commence the pilot vaccination and sterilisation camps with adequate public awareness measures. The Court also asked the authorities to file an affidavit detailing the implementation of the exercise.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 1.
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