The Supreme Court on Monday said it will pronounce its order in the stray dogs matter on November 7, after noting compliance submissions from various states and Union Territories.
A special three-judge bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria recorded that most states and UTs’ chief secretaries were present before it, as directed earlier. The court also allowed the exemption plea of Kerala’s chief secretary, noting that a principal secretary had appeared instead.
At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench that most states and UTs had filed their compliance affidavits in line with the court’s previous directions regarding implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.
The bench ordered, “List for orders on November 7,” and clarified that the personal presence of chief secretaries will no longer be required, unless any state or UT fails to comply with its directions.
During the last hearing on October 27, the top court had expressed displeasure over several states and UTs not filing their compliance affidavits despite earlier orders dated August 22, when it had sought details on measures being taken to enforce the ABC Rules across India.
The bench had remarked that non-compliance made the country appear “shown as down” internationally amid recurring incidents of stray dog attacks and rabies cases, particularly affecting children. It had also summoned the chief secretaries of defaulting states and UTs (excluding West Bengal and Telangana, which had complied) to explain the delay.
The court has expanded the scope of the case beyond Delhi-NCR, directing all states and UTs to be made parties and to file compliance reports detailing resources such as dog pounds, veterinarians, trained dog-catching staff, and special vehicles used for ABC implementation.
The case originated suo motu on July 28, following media reports highlighting rising incidents of stray dog bites and rabies deaths in the national capital.
The bench has now directed that the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) be made a party to the proceedings.
