Stray Dogs Captured For Preparation Of G20 Summit Being Released As Per Law: MCD To Delhi High Court

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has told the Delhi High Court that the process of releasing stray dogs that were captured during the preparation for G20 Summit has been initiated in strict adherence with law.

The G20 Summit was held in the national capital on September 9-10.

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula was hearing a PIL moved by an animal activist highlighting the manner in which the stray dogs were captured in Delhi during special events like Independence Day, Republic Day and most recently, the G20 Summit.

The court directed the Delhi Government, MCD and the Animal Welfare Board of India to ensure strict compliance of all the provisions under Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, while capturing and releasing the stray dogs.

The counsel appearing for Petitioner submitted that a detailed mechanism for capture and release of dogs has been prescribed under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, which should be followed diligently by the MCD.

It was submitted that the Rules mandate that the stray dogs should be identified with numbered collars immediately upon capture so that proper records can be maintained, which would subsequently facilitate their release in the same locality from where they were captured.

On the other hand, the counsel representing MCD stated that the dogs captured during the G20 Summit are in the process of being released. The said submission was also affirmed by the counsel appearing for the AWBI.

“In light of the aforenoted submissions, the Respondent authorities are directed to ensure strict compliance with all the provisions prescribed under the ABC Rules relating to the capture and release of street dogs,” the court said while disposing of the plea.

Advocates Nirbhay Kumar, Nishant Mandal, Anshu Anand and Shubham Srivastava appeared for petitioner.

Advocate Simran Jyot Singh appeared for MCD. Standing Counsel Santosh Kumar Tripathi appeared for Delhi Government and CGSC Mukul Singh represented AWFI.