New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday said it will pronounce its order in the ongoing stray dogs case on November 7.
A special three-judge bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N. V. Anjaria noted that chief secretaries of most states and Union Territories (UTs) were present before the court. The bench accepted an exemption plea from the Chief Secretary of Kerala, acknowledging that a Principal Secretary represented the state instead. It 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 bench that most states and UTs had submitted their compliance affidavits in response to earlier court directions. The bench then ordered, “List for orders on November 7.”
The court clarified that the personal appearance of chief secretaries will no longer be required. However, it warned that if any state or UT fails to comply with court orders, their top officials would again be summoned.
During the previous hearing on October 27, the Supreme Court had directed the chief secretaries—except those of West Bengal and Telangana—to appear before it on November 3 for failing to file compliance affidavits despite an August 22 directive. That order had sought details from all states and UTs regarding measures taken to implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.
The bench had earlier expressed strong displeasure at the lack of compliance, noting that by October 27, only West Bengal, Telangana, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had filed the required affidavits. It had warned that chief secretaries would have to personally explain their failure to comply.
On October 27, the apex court had also criticised the inaction of several states and UTs, observing that recurring stray dog attacks were tarnishing India’s image globally.
Expanding the scope of the case beyond the Delhi-National Capital Region, the Supreme Court had previously directed that all states and UTs be made parties to the matter. It also asked municipal authorities to submit detailed compliance reports, including statistics on dog pounds, veterinarians, dog catchers, vehicles, and equipment available to enforce the ABC Rules.
The court is hearing the case suo motu, initiated on July 28, following media reports highlighting a rise in stray dog bite incidents leading to rabies infections, particularly among children in the national capital.
