Introduction
The Supreme Court has given a new order to Improve Safety in Delhi by Addressing Dog issues. It focuses on managing stray dogs in the city and calls for these dogs to be taken to shelters to keep people safe.
Kapil Mishra’s Statement
Delhi’s Development Minister, Kapil Mishra, praised this decision and said the Animal Husbandry department will work with various agencies to carry out the order properly. He posted on X, “Supreme Court’s order shows a path to free Delhi from the fear of rabies and stray animals.”
The Supreme Court’s Directions
The Supreme Court’s order came after noticing a serious problem. The situation with stray dogs in Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, and Ghaziabad is grim. The court urged local authorities to act quickly.
Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan emphasized that immediate action is needed. They asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to create dog shelters. They also mentioned reporting back to the court about progress within eight weeks.
How the Order Came About
This order became necessary after the Supreme Court took action based on a news story. This shows how the court is paying attention to public safety.
The court made it clear that anyone who tries to stop the collection of stray dogs could face consequences. This warning ensures that the order is implemented without hindrance.
The Rise in Dog Bite Cases
Dog bite cases have increased a lot in Delhi. In 2023, there were around 57,000 reported cases. By 2024, this number grew to 74,000. This increase shows that there’s a real need to manage stray dogs better.
MCD’s Role and Shelters
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has a total of 20 shelters specifically for stray dogs. In these shelters, NGOs work to sterilize the dogs with care, following the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023.
By July 31, 2023, the MCD had sterilized and immunized approximately 65,000 dogs, an effort crucial for controlling the stray dog population and improving public safety.
A Closer Look at Sterilization Efforts
The sterilization and immunization efforts have shown positive results. In 2024, the MCD sterilized around 1,31,137 dogs. The numbers for previous years are as follows:
- 2023: 80,000 dogs
- 2022: 59,000 dogs
- 2021: 91,000 dogs
Since the start of 2023, about 57 MCD wards have successfully achieved a target of 70% to 80% sterilization under the ABC Rules. This helps to keep the stray dog population under control.
Future Plans for Dog Census
Earlier this month, the MCD formed a special committee that plans to carry out a census of stray dogs soon. This decision follows complaints from councillors about the rising number of stray dog bites.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s order is a step towards Improve Safety in Delhi by Addressing Dog issues. It aims to manage the problem of stray dogs effectively. The MCD and local authorities must work together to ensure proper implementation of this order. By taking these steps, they hope to create a safer and healthier environment for everyone.
