The Delhi High Court has recently issued a directive to the city’s authorities to ensure the ongoing implementation of sterilization and immunization measures for stray dogs.
The bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, ordered in response to two petitions addressing incidents of dog bites.
The court acknowledged its contentment with the performance of Delhi government and municipal authorities in the execution of their legal obligations. It emphasized that the sterilization and immunization of stray dogs constitute a crucial public function that must be executed diligently.
The bench comprising Justice Jasmeet Singh stated, “The respondents are directed to ensure that they continue with their efforts and drive for sterilization and immunization of stray dogs, as the same is an important public function and is required to be performed in all its earnestness.”
In its official order, the court recorded that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) submitted a status report indicating that over 59,000 dogs were subjected to sterilization procedures during the period spanning 2022 – 2023. Between April and June of 2023, the figure was 12,244 as per the report.
The Delhi government apprised the court that, within the same time frame of 2022-2023, more than 63,000 stray dogs received vaccinations against rabies, whereas the preceding year witnessed a figure of 85,979.
The government highlighted that anti-rabies vaccines are made available free of charge throughout the year in all 77 veterinary hospitals, equipped with the necessary cold chain facilities for vaccine storage and transportation. This provision is applicable not only to pet dogs but also to community-owned dogs.
The petitioners, Conference for Human Rights (India) and Triveni Apartments Welfare Association, affirmed that their members are socially responsible citizens driven by a desire to contribute in society.
They contended that the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules of 2001, that mandate regular sterilization and immunization programmes for stray dogs to curb their escalating population, were not being adhered to.
The petitioners asserted that the authorities’ failure to fulfill their legal duties had led to a rapid rise in the population of stray dogs in Delhi, consequently resulting in an increase in dog-related attacks.
