The Delhi High Court on Wednesday emphasized the need for humane treatment of dogs, calling them man's best friends and among the most affectionate creatures on earth. The court directed concerned officials to ensure that conflicts between humans and dogs in the national capital are effectively minimized.
Justice Mini Pushkarna instructed civic authorities and other stakeholders to submit recommendations for the rehabilitation of stray dogs. As per agency report, the court noted that sterilization alone is not a sufficient solution to address the increasing human-dog conflict, stating that although such measures have been in place for nearly three decades, there has been little noticeable change.
The court pointed out that the effectiveness of sterilization has been exaggerated and remarked that the current strategy is inadequate. During the proceedings, it was also brought to the court's attention that around 200 dogs, previously housed in a shelter, may soon be released back onto the streets due to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) planning to demolish the temporary facility.
Further concerns were raised regarding the functioning of existing animal welfare infrastructure. The court noted that various animal birth control (ABC) centers are currently non-operational, and as many as 78 veterinary hospitals have been shut down.
The court also observed that a recent meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary of Delhi only discussed sterilization as a proposed solution, failing to address the broader need for sustainable rehabilitation mechanisms.
The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for September 17. Previously, the court had urged city authorities to formulate an institutional policy for the phased removal and rehabilitation of stray dogs from the streets and neighborhoods of Delhi.
