Overview
- The three-judge bench said it never ordered removal of all street dogs and directed management under the Animal Birth Control Rules, including sterilisation, vaccination and re-release.
- The court’s November 7 directive to move dogs from schools, hospitals, stations and similar premises to shelters after treatment remains under challenge, with petitioners seeking modulation.
- Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria flagged weak state responses, noting only limited compliance affidavits and calling the situation a systemic failure.
- Cost and capacity concerns dominated submissions, with estimates reaching Rs 26,800 crore, a need for about 91,800 shelters and only 66 accredited ABC centres currently in place.
- The bench warned pet owners could face criminal liability if their animals attack, discussed canine behaviour such as sensing fear, and heard ecological concerns that abrupt removals could spur rodent surges.