The Supreme Court on Friday held that feeding stray dogs on the streets and in public places is illegal and directed that such feeding must take place only in designated areas to be created in every municipal ward. The Court said that violations will invite legal action.
A three-judge bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice NV Anjaria passed the order while hearing reports of untoward incidents linked to unregulated feeding of stray dogs. The Court observed that the practice causes inconvenience and risk to ordinary citizens and must be eliminated to ensure public safety.
The ruling modifies an earlier order dated August 11, when a two-judge bench had directed the relocation of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to dog shelters. Clarifying the position, the larger bench stated that dogs picked up for vaccination and sterilisation must be released back to the same place from where they were taken, except in cases where they are infected with rabies, suspected of infection, or display aggressive behaviour.
The Court’s order stated : “The Municipal authorities shall forthwith commence the exercise of creating dedicated feeding spaces for stray dogs in each municipal ward. The feeding area shall be identified keeping in view with the population of stray dogs in the ward. Notice boards must be placed mentioning that stray dogs shall be fed only in such areas. Under no condition shall the feeding of stray dogs on the streets be permitted. The persons found feeding the dogs in contravention of this direction shall be liable to be proceeded with under the relevant framework. The aforesaid direction is being issued in the light of reports regarding untoward incidents caused by unregulated feeding of stray dogs and to ensure that the practice of feeding dogs on roads and in public places is eliminated, as the said practice creates great difficulties for the common man walking in the streets.”
The directive seeks to balance citizen safety with animal welfare, requiring municipal authorities to earmark specific feeding zones while ensuring continued vaccination and sterilisation of stray dogs across the country.
