Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, May 20: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to modify its earlier order directing the removal of stray dogs from institutional areas such as schools, hospitals and other public facilities, while making it clear that such animals should not be released back into those locations.

The apex court dismissed all pleas seeking changes to its November 25 order and stressed that prolonged inaction by authorities had allowed the stray dog problem to escalate across several parts of the country.

The bench observed that there was a “discernible absence of efforts” by states and local authorities to expand infrastructure in proportion to the rising stray dog population.

The court criticised authorities for carrying out sterilisation and vaccination drives without adequate planning, saying such measures had failed to effectively address the issue.

“It defeats the objects of the framework. Had states acted with due foresight, the present situation would not have assumed such alarming proportions,” the court observed.

The bench further noted that the lack of proper implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) framework had significantly contributed to the worsening stray dog menace.

“Prolonged inaction and absence of institutional commitment to effective implementation of ABC framework has contributed significantly to the persistence as well as aggravation of the problem which has now assumed dimensions warranting urgent and systemic intervention,” the court said.

The Supreme Court also issued fresh directions to all states and Union Territories for stricter enforcement of the ABC guidelines.

It directed every state and UT to establish at least one Animal Birth Control centre in each district equipped with trained veterinary doctors to ensure effective sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs.