NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday took congnisance of the alarming rise in dog bite incidents in institutional areas and ordered authorities to move stray dogs from educational centres, hospitals, and bus stations to shelter homes.A bench of justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria directed that stray dogs picked up from such institutions shall not be released back in the same place. The top court also asked national highway authority of India to ensure removal of cattle and other stray animals from highways and expressways, and their relocation to designated shelters.Also read- Canine bite victims must be heard in stray dog case: SCThe apex court is hearing a suo motu case, which was initiated on July 28 over media reports on stray dog bites leading to rabies, particularly among children, in the national capital.On November 3, the apex court said it will pass interim directions to tackle the issue of “grave menace” of dog bites in institutional areas, where employees feed and encourage stray dogs.On October 27, the top court had expressed strong disapproval of the failure of most state governments to file compliance affidavits, despite clear orders issued on August 22.The top court had noted that only West Bengal, Telangana, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had submitted their affidavits.Also read- Gurgaon woman faces mob intimidation for feeding community dogsOn October 31, the Supreme Court rejected Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s request to allow the Chief Secretaries to appear virtually, directing instead that they must be present physically before the top court.The top court had earlier directed all states and UTs to file affidavits detailing the steps taken to enforce the ABC Rules, including sterilisation drives, vaccination programmes, and the establishment of animal shelters and pounds.
