NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has ruled that stray dogs may be released back into their localities after sterilisation, except in cases of aggressive behaviour or rabies. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria said sterilised dogs must be dewormed, vaccinated and returned to the same area. Dogs found to be aggressive or rabid are to be isolated and not released. The court also prohibited street feeding of strays, directing civic bodies to create designated feeding zones. Animal welfare groups welcomed the order. “We had faith that the SC would rule in our favour. You can’t say that any and every dog is aggressive; there should be proof,” said Sonali Gaba, who runs a shelter home for dogs. Advocate and petitioner Nanita Sharma described it as a “balanced judgment and a beautiful order for dog lovers”. “There will be no relocation, and after sterilisation, the dogs will be released back where they were picked up from,” she said, adding that the creation of feeding zones was a positive step.“The Court has also directed the MCD to build feeding spaces, and no one will be allowed to feed dogs on the streets. This part of the order is also good. There will be no relocation, and after sterilisation, the dogs will be released back where they were picked up from,” she added further.Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh also supported the ruling, “We welcome the decision. This is a very good decision, and we will implement it 100%. The dog lovers and the NGOs also wanted the dogs to be sterilised and left. The corporation already did the same. Ferocious and aggressive dogs that have developed the habit of biting should be treated and kept. The public should not face any problem. We all love street dogs and we are all dog lovers, so this is a very good decision.”Animal rights activist and BJP MP Maneka Gandhi also hailed the verdict. “I am very happy with this scientific judgement. Relocation and fear are the only reasons for dogs biting. There is no question of releasing dogs infected with rabies. The court has not defined what an aggressive dog is — this needs to be defined. It is absolutely right to create designated feeding areas, and civic authorities must also put up signboards. “The court has stated that its ruling applies throughout the country. As per the order, municipal corporations will have to set up proper Animal Birth Control centres. For the first time in 25 years, the government has stated in Parliament that it is allocating Rs 2,500 crore for this programme,” she added further.
