New Delhi, August 13 — Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai on Wednesday made a statement. He said he would examine the recent Supreme Court order. This order directs the removal of stray dogs from the streets of Delhi. A lawyer raised objections, citing earlier rulings protecting community canines.
An advocate mentioned the matter before the CJI. They referred to a prior judgment of the apex court. This judgment was co-authored by Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Pankaj Mithal. It prohibited the indiscriminate killing of stray dogs and underscored “compassion for all living beings.”
“This is with regard to the community dogs issue… There is an earlier judgment of this court which says there cannot be indiscriminate killing of canines… It says compassion for all living beings has to be there,” the lawyer told the CJI.
Responding briefly, CJI Gavai stated, “But the other judge bench has already passed orders. I will look into this.”
August 11 Order Sparks Protests
The remarks come days after a Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan. This was in a suo motu matter concerning repeated rabies cases and fatalities from stray dog bites in Delhi-NCR. They directed the Delhi government, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to remove all stray dogs from public spaces. The dogs are to be shifted to shelters.
The Court ordered the authorities to prioritise the exercise, particularly in “vulnerable localities,” and to deploy special forces if necessary. “There should not be any compromise in undertaking the exercise,” the Bench said. The Bench warned that any individual or organisation obstructing the process would face contempt proceedings.
Key Directions Issued by the Court:
- Complete removal of stray dogs from all localities; no release back onto streets.
- Establishment of dog shelters with adequate staff within eight weeks.
- Sterilisation and immunisation of captured dogs.
- Creation of a helpline within one week to report dog bites.
- Daily record of stray dogs captured and detained to be maintained.
- Public disclosure of locations where rabies vaccines are available.
Justice Pardiwala also criticised animal rights activists for opposing the move. He asked, “All these animal activists, will they be able to bring back those who have fallen prey to rabies?”
Backlash from Activists
The order has triggered widespread protests by animal welfare groups. They argue that the mass removal of stray dogs is contrary to established legal principles. It also goes against humane animal management practices. Demonstrations have been reported across the capital, with activists demanding the rollback of the directive.
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