The Supreme Court recently said that it will hear on October 18 a batch of petitions on issues relating to orders passed by various civic bodies regarding stray dogs, particularly in Kerala and Mumbai.
A bench comprising Justice J K Maheshwari and Justice K V Viswanathan has expressed its reluctance to issue any interim directives at this stage. Instead, the court intends to carefully review the relevant statutes, rules, their implementation, and the issues presented before rendering a decision.
The bench has directed that all pleadings in these petitions should be finalized, with designated counsel from both sides appointed to compile verdicts and a list of lawyers who will present their arguments in a structured manner.
“Our primary objective in this case is to refrain from providing interim directions prematurely. We aim to comprehensively assess the statutes, rules, their practical implementation, and the associated challenges before determining an appropriate resolution. We believe this approach is the most prudent,” the bench conveyed to the attorneys involved.
One of the advocates has pointed out that different high courts have adopted varying stances on this matter.
The bench has further instructed that all formalities, including serving notices to concerned parties, must be completed within the next three weeks. The case is scheduled for a hearing on October 18.
During a previous hearing in October last year, the Supreme Court had directed the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to submit an affidavit containing data on dog bite incidents over the past seven years in various states and major cities within those states.
“The board (AWBI) should specify whether they would like this court to issue directives to the states or local authorities pertaining to the enforcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the relevant regulations,” the court specified. The apex court had earlier emphasized the importance of striking a balance between ensuring public safety and upholding the rights of animals.
Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individual petitioners have approached the Supreme Court to challenge decisions made by various high courts, including the Bombay High Court and Kerala High Court, which have empowered municipal authorities to address the issue of stray dogs in accordance with established rules.
