Supreme Court to Review Stray Dog Relocation Order in Delhi-NCR

The Supreme Court of India has referred the contentious issue of stray dog relocation in Delhi-NCR to a three-judge bench, set to convene on August 12, 2023. This follows a directive issued by a two-judge bench on August 11, which mandated the removal of stray dogs from the streets of Delhi and their relocation to shelters within a period of six to eight weeks. The new bench will include Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria.

Concerns regarding the August 11 order were raised by a lawyer who highlighted a previous Supreme Court ruling, which emphasized the importance of compassion towards all living beings and prohibited the indiscriminate killing of dogs. The lawyer’s argument pointed out that the current directive poses risks to community dogs and contradicts established principles of animal welfare.

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai acknowledged the lawyer’s concerns during a session earlier today, stating, “But another bench has already passed orders. I will look into this.” This comment underscores the complexities involved in balancing judicial directives with animal welfare considerations.

The issue has sparked significant public interest, with animal lovers in Delhi organizing rallies against the Supreme Court’s order to relocate stray dogs to shelters. Advocacy groups argue that such measures do not adequately address the underlying issues facing stray animals and may lead to adverse outcomes for the dogs involved.

This legal deliberation is particularly important given the increasing urbanization of the Delhi-NCR region and its implications for both human and animal populations. The outcome of the Supreme Court’s review could potentially reshape policies related to animal welfare in urban settings across India.

As the situation develops, stakeholders from various sectors, including animal rights organizations and legal experts, are closely monitoring the proceedings. The upcoming hearing is anticipated to clarify the legal stance on stray dog management and may influence future directives regarding animal treatment in urban areas.