‘Dispose Leftovers in Bins’: Supreme Court’s Own Campus Tackles Stray Dog Menace After Delhi-NCR Order
A day after ordering the removal of all stray dogs from the streets of Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court has turned its attention to its own premises, issuing a strict directive for the proper disposal of leftover food to tackle a noticeable increase in stray dogs within the court complex. The administration has observed a significant rise in dogs roaming the corridors and even entering lifts, prompting immediate action to curb the issue.
The new internal order mandates that all leftover food must be discarded exclusively in properly covered dustbins. There is now a strict ban on dumping food in open areas or uncovered containers anywhere on the court grounds. This measure is designed to cut off the food source that attracts the animals, thereby reducing the risk of dog bites and improving overall hygiene within the high-security complex.
This internal housekeeping measure follows the court’s landmark and controversial order on Monday, where a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan described the situation of stray dog bites in the capital as “extremely grim.”
The court directed civic authorities in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad to capture all stray dogs and relocate them permanently to shelters for sterilization and care. The bench issued a stern warning that it would take strict action, including contempt proceedings, against any individual or organization that obstructs this process.
During the hearing of the case it took up on its own initiative, the court had sharp words for animal rights activists and “so-called lovers” of strays. “Will they put life back to those children?” the bench asked, referring to children who have died from rabies. “When the situation demands, you have to act.”
The court emphasized that the shelters must be adequately staffed and equipped with CCTV cameras to ensure no dog is released back into public spaces, calling the initiative a “progressive exercise” necessary for public safety.
