Stray Dogs Menace: High Court Expands Scope Of PIL To Include Entire City Of Delhi

The Delhi High Court has expanded the scope of a public interest litigation filed in November 2018, seeking to address the menace created by stray dogs in the South Delhi Municipal Corporation area, to the entire national capital.

The Petitioner, Conference For Human Rights (India), had sought implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001.

The Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawal observed,

"Though the grievance raised by the Petitioner is only limited to the area under South Delhi Municipal Corporation, we are inclined to examine the issue with regard to implementation of rules in the entire National Capital Territory."

Accordingly, notices have been issued to the New Delhi Municipal Corporation, Delhi Cantonment Board and other concerned local authorities.

In the meantime, the SDMC is directed to to file an updated status report.

The Petitioner has sought directions to carry out regular sterilization, immunization of dogs at regular intervals. It also seeks collection and assessment of data with regard to implementation of the Rules.

The Court has thus sought disclosure of information about the infrastructure created and available with the SDMC for catching stray dogs, their sterilization before they are returned to their respective areas.

The matter will next be taken up on 7 December.

Case Title: Conference For Human Rights (India) v. Union of India & Ors.