A day after directing the permanent relocation of stray dogs from Delhi-NCR streets to shelters, the Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a circular mandating the complete disposal of leftover food inside its court complex to curb the risk of animal bites.
The circular noted a “significant” rise in stray dogs roaming in the apex court corridors and even inside lifts. “All leftover food items must be disposed of exclusively in properly covered dustbins. Under no circumstances should food be discarded in open areas or uncovered containers,” it stated. The measure, it said, was crucial to prevent animals from scavenging for food, thereby reducing the risk of bites and maintaining hygiene standards.
On August 11, a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan observed that the frequency of dog bites had created an “extremely grim” situation. The court ordered the permanent relocation of all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR “at the earliest” and directed authorities to set up shelters for around 5,000 canines within six to eight weeks.
The bench further warned that any obstruction by individuals or organisations to the relocation drive could lead to strict action, including contempt proceedings. It also emphasised the need for augmenting dog shelter facilities over time to accommodate more strays.
