The Supreme Court has issued a fresh directive to tackle the rising number of stray dogs within its premises, mandating that all leftover food be disposed of only in covered dustbins.
“No food should be discarded in open areas or uncovered containers. This is crucial to prevent animals from being attracted and scavenging for food, thereby reducing the risk of bites and maintaining hygiene,” a circular by the Administrative General Branch said.
The court noted a “significant increase” in dogs roaming corridors and even entering lifts in the complex. The order also referred to an earlier circular from September last year, issued after a meeting with officials from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), which carried the same directive.
On Monday, a Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan directed civic bodies in Delhi-NCR to capture all stray dogs and relocate them to shelters, calling the situation “grim” and a serious public safety risk. The court asked the MCD, NDMC and agencies in Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad to make streets “completely free” of strays, build shelters where they do not exist, and submit infrastructure reports within eight weeks.
The Bench warned that any organisation or group obstructing the removal of stray dogs would face legal action.
IANS