SC’s earlier order to shift all stray dogs to shelters, without return, was referred to a three-judge bench.
Supreme Court’s Modified Directions
- Prohibition on Public Feeding: It is now illegal to feed stray dogs on streets and in public places.
- Dedicated Feeding Spaces: To be created by municipal authorities in each municipal ward.
- Relocation After Treatment: Sterilized, dewormed, and vaccinated dogs must be returned to their original pick-up location.
- This policy excludes dogs with rabies, suspected rabies, or aggressive behavior.
- National Policy: SC has expanded the case to include all States and Union Territories, consolidating related High Court cases for a final national policy.
- Adoption: Animal lovers are permitted to apply to municipal bodies for the adoption of street dogs.
Issues of Stray Dogs
- Stray Dog Population: 1.5 crore stray dog population(2019 livestock census).
- Public Safety Concern: Rising attacks by aggressive and rabid stray dogs threaten citizens’ safety.
- India accounts for 36% of the world’s rabies deaths.
- Dog bites and scratches cause 99% of the human rabies cases.
Provisions related to Stray Dogs in India
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