New Delhi, May 19: The Supreme Court delivered a significant ruling on stray dogs on Tuesday, upholding its previous decision to remove stray dogs from public spaces. This ruling has elicited a variety of responses from legal experts and animal rights activists.
Advocate Vivek Sharma expressed to reporters that this is a commendable decision by the judiciary, emphasizing the importance of the Right to Life under Article 21 as a fundamental right.
Conversely, Advocate Nannita Sharma criticized the ruling for lacking balance, noting that while it addresses human concerns, it neglects the welfare of animals, highlighting the cruelty they face. She mentioned that the court dismissed all their applications, stating that if a dog bites someone, the responsibility would lie with the state.
Advocate Aditya Jha, who is also a petitioner in this long-standing case, remarked that the verdict finally arrived after considerable waiting. The case, Aditya Jha vs. Delhi Municipal Corporation, encompasses issues related to vaccination, sterilization, and other matters concerning stray dogs, with the court issuing strict directives.
Advocate Punita condemned the ruling as inhumane, questioning the logic of removing dogs from the streets while failing to manage stray cattle, which also pose problems.
Animal rights activist Gauri Mulehi noted that the court had previously instructed the removal of dogs but now leaves the decision to the states for appropriate action. The court has mandated compliance with Animal Birth Control rules, ensuring that every district will have an ABC center with trained personnel and a robust monitoring system.
Former Union Minister Vijay Goyal welcomed the Supreme Court‘s order, stating that his organization, Lok Abhiyan, has been addressing the issues caused by stray dogs for several years.
BJP MP Atul Garg also supported the ruling, suggesting that stray dogs should be sent to shelter homes for public safety, similar to other stray animals.
Residents of Greater Noida have backed the Supreme Court’s decision, deeming it necessary for public safety, particularly for children and the elderly, amid rising incidents of dog attacks.