Delhi HC Directs Delhi Govt to Frame Policy for Rehabilitation of Stray Dogs

The Delhi High Court recently directed the Delhi Government to take a policy decision regarding the rehabilitation of stray dogs, with the aim of phasing them out from public roads and streets.

While hearing a 2023 plea filed by octogenarian Pratima Devi, a bench led by Justice Mini Pushkarna stated,"...... It would be incumbent upon the concerned authorities to consider the formulation of a policy for the rehabilitation of stray dogs, and the same being a policy decision, would have to be taken with the coordinated efforts of the Delhi Government, the MCD as well as the AWBI....."

Noting the sensitivity of the case as well as the magnitude of the problem faced by the general public due to frequent incidents involving stray dogs, the High Court referred the matter to the Chief Secretary, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD).

"The Chief Secretary, GNCTD is requested to call a meeting of all the concerned stakeholders, with a view to take a policy decision, as to how the stray dogs, who roam about in the streets and parks of the capital, are ultimately removed from the street, and rehabilitated and kept in an Institutional Shelter," the court ordered.

The court was also informed about a joint meeting that took place between the concerned officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (“MCD”), the Animal Welfare Board of India (“AWBI”), and the representative of the petitioner. In the meeting, the concerned authorities decided that after the dogs had been sterilised and vaccinated, they would be left back in the vicinity of the shelter, without relocating them.

However, the court was of the opinion that leaving the dogs on the streets after their vaccination and sterilisation is not a proper solution in the present matter, given the large number of dogs involved.

Highlighting that various incidents of dog bites by stray dogs have come to light, the court took note of the fact that nearly 200 stray dogs were staying in a makeshift shelter. It added that releasing these stray dogs into the open would cause serious problems. Accordingly, it asked the concerned authorities to formulate a policy for the rehabilitation of stray dogs.

The matter will now be heard on 6 August.

Case Title: PRATIMA DEVI VS MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF DELHI & ORS