Apex Court to deliver verdict on stray dog relocation order today | Fusion - WeRIndia

The Supreme Court of India will give its verdict today, Friday, August 22. The verdict is on a plea to stop the earlier order from August 11.

That order asked for all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to be moved permanently to shelters. Many people have raised concerns about this decision.

In the controversial August 11 directive, the apex court instructed authorities to remove stray dogs from all localities and place them in shelters or pounds.

It also ordered the immediate creation of such shelters and asked for a compliance report within eight weeks.

The order warned of strict action against anyone obstructing the implementation, sparking nationwide protests led by animal welfare activists and pet lovers.

The matter was heard on August 14 by a special three-judge bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria.

The bench reserved its decision after hearing arguments from both sides, and the final verdict is scheduled for today.

During the hearing, the bench strongly criticised local civic authorities, noting that the stray dog issue stemmed from their failure to implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, which require the sterilisation and immunisation of stray dogs.

The judges indicated that preventive measures had long been neglected, leading to the current situation.

In anticipation of the verdict, several NGOs and animal rights organisations have organised a live screening of the Supreme Court hearing at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, starting from 10 AM.

These groups continue to advocate for ethical treatment and scientific management of stray dog populations, rather than mass relocation.

The judgment is expected to have far-reaching implications not only for Delhi-NCR but also for animal welfare policy across India.

All eyes are now on the Supreme Court as it prepares to deliver a ruling that could redefine the way India handles its stray animal population.

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