SC asks states to sterilise, vaccinate stray dogs as per law

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the states and the civic bodies to take steps to sterilise and vaccinate nuisance-causing stray dogs under the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. A bench comprising justices Dipak Misra and Prafulla C Pant also asked the state governments to file their reports, indicating compliance of provisions of the Act regarding stray dogs, with the Animal Welfare Board within six weeks.

The Board, in turn, would consider the reports and prepare a module to deal the issue, the bench said, adding the Board will have to file their response four weeks after it gets the replies of states.

During hearing, senior advocate Dushyanat Dave, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae, said, “We will have to balance the things as there are instances of deaths due to dog bites.” 

Dave also said he was yet to come across a news where animal-loving NGOs have come forward to help of victims of dog bites and hence, the need of the hour to strike a balance.