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The bench, while directing the Animal Husbandry Department to file a detailed status report, cautioned that “In the event, this Court is not satisfied with the response given in the affidavit, this Court would have no other option but to direct the Chief Secretary, GNCTD to take action against the concerned officers for not having taken any steps in the last few years to check and control illegal dog breeding in the city”.
The Delhi High Court, recently, reprimanded the Animal Husbandry Department over their failure to take effective measures to control illegal dog breeding. The bench of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela held that “Secretary, Animal Husbandry, GNCTD shall file a personal affidavit within a week clearly disclosing as to what steps have been taken and what steps it intends to take immediately to check and control illegal dog breeding in the city”.
A writ petition was filed in 2018 to address the issue of illegal dog breeding establishments in Delhi. Despite the prolonged duration of the case, the court noted that the Animal Husbandry Department of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), failed to provide any status reports enumerating measures or actions taken to curb illegal dog breeding in the city.
During the recent hearing, Rakesh Singh, Director of Animal Husbandry, GNCTD, was personally present in court. However, after interacting with him, the court did not gain any clarity or new information regarding actions undertaken to address the issue. The court expressed disappointment over the lack of progress, noting that dog bite incidents had increased during the six years the petition remained unresolved.
The Court, therefore, directed the Secretary of Animal Husbandry, GNCTD, to file a personal affidavit within one week. The affidavit was to clearly outline the steps taken so far and the immediate measures planned to control and prevent illegal dog breeding in the city.
The court further warned that if the affidavit failed to provide a satisfactory response, it would be compelled to direct the Chief Secretary of GNCTD to take disciplinary action against the officers responsible for the inaction over the years. The court further listed the matter for December 5, 2024.
For Petitioner: Advocates Supriya Juneja, Shaalini Agrawal, Siddharth Pandey, and Esha DuttaFor Respondent: Standing Counsel SK Tripathi, Additional Standing Counsel Jawahar Raja with Advocate Aditi SaraswatCase Title: Gauri Maulekhi v Delhi Advisory Board For Animal Welfare (W.P.(C) 7467/2018)
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