Supreme Court: In furtherance of it’s order dated 18.11.2015, regarding the protection of stray dogs, the bench of Dipak Misra and P.C. Pantt, JJ said that the main problem is failure to implement the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001.
Considering the facts and circumstances in entirety, the Court directed the Chief Secretary of each of the States, either himself or through the Secretary of Health and the competent authorities of the Union Territories to send the report as regards the implementation of the Act and the Rules to the Board within six weeks hence. The said authorities have been specifically asked to include the below mentioned details in the report:
- the number of deaths that have occurred due to dog bites and what steps have been taken;
- the number of sterilization that have taken place and the resources available on the said front.
Taking note of the submissions of Dushyant A. Dave that the Act and Rules provide for sterilization of dogs so that safety of the human beings is not jeopardized, yet they are not being sterilized by the authorities, either for lack of funds or due to apathy, the Court further ordered that the dogs which are required to be sterilized or vaccinated, the procedure shall be carried out in accordance with the Act and Rules and no organization shall create any kind of obstacle or impediment in the same. [Animal Welfare Board of India v. People for Elimination of Stray Troubles, 2016 SCC OnLine SC 222, decided on 09.03.2016]
To read the Order, Click HERE
Earlier Interim order to maintain balance between lives of human beings and compassion to dogs given on 18.11.2015. To read the Order, click HERE