New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the chief secretaries of all states and Union Territories—except West Bengal and Telangana—to appear before it on November 3 for failing to submit compliance affidavits in the ongoing case concerning the management of stray dogs across the country.
A special three-judge bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria expressed its displeasure over the non-compliance, pointing out that despite clear directions issued on August 22, most states and UTs had yet to file the required affidavits. Only the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, along with the states of West Bengal and Telangana, have submitted their reports to date.
“The order of August 22 clearly outlines the directions to be followed. There was nothing ambiguous about it,” the bench remarked, reprimanding the defaulting states and Union Territories for their inaction.
Background of the Case
The court is hearing a suo motu matter concerning the increasing number of stray dog attacks and the implementation of effective sterilisation and vaccination programs nationwide. Initially focused on Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), the Supreme Court had expanded the scope of the case to cover the entire country, directing all states and UTs to become parties in the proceedings.
In its August 22 order, the court modified a previous directive that barred the release of vaccinated stray dogs from shelters in the NCR, terming the earlier restriction “too severe.” The bench instead ruled that stray dogs could be released after sterilisation and de-worming, aligning the decision with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules and humane animal management practices.
Lack of Compliance Draws Court’s Ire
Despite the clarity of the court’s instructions, many states have failed to update the Supreme Court on their progress in implementing sterilisation drives, vaccination efforts, and measures to prevent stray dog-related incidents. The bench’s latest direction requires chief secretaries to personally appear before the court to explain the delay and outline steps taken so far.
The matter has drawn increasing attention as several cities across India have reported a rise in dog bite cases and public safety concerns, prompting the judiciary to step in and ensure proper enforcement of animal control and welfare laws.
The case will be taken up again on November 3, when the Supreme Court is expected to review the responses of the state governments and possibly issue further directives to ensure uniform compliance across the country.
