New Delhi, Nov 3: The Supreme Court on Monday said it will deliver its order in the stray dogs case on November 7, while noting that chief secretaries of most states and Union Territories were present before it in compliance with its earlier directive.
A three-judge special bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N. V. Anjaria heard the matter and allowed the exemption plea of the Kerala Chief Secretary, observing that a principal secretary from the state was present instead. The bench also directed that the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) be made a party to the case.
At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that most states and UTs have now filed their compliance affidavits regarding the implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.
“List for orders on November 7,” the bench said, adding that the personal presence of chief secretaries will no longer be required, unless a state defaults in complying with the court’s directives.
The order comes days after the apex court, during its October 27 hearing, pulled up states and UTs for failing to file compliance reports despite its August 22 order directing them to outline steps taken to enforce the ABC Rules. At that time, only West Bengal, Telangana, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had submitted affidavits.
The court had expressed strong displeasure, remarking that repeated incidents of stray dog attacks were tarnishing the country’s image abroad. It had also extended the scope of the case beyond the Delhi-NCR region, making all states and UTs parties to ensure nationwide compliance with the ABC Rules.
The ongoing proceedings stem from a suo motu case initiated on July 28 after media reports highlighted rising incidents of dog bites and rabies deaths, particularly among children in the national capital. (Agencies)
