SC raps states over non-compliance in stray dogs case

The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on states and Union territories (UTs) for failing to submit compliance reports from their animal husbandry departments and local bodies on the implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, warning that top bureaucrats would face personal accountability for their inaction in controlling the stray dog menace while safeguarding human and animal welfare.

- Utkarsh Anand

A three-judge bench led by Justice Vikram Nath directed the chief secretaries of all states and UTs to be present before it on November 3 along with explanations for why no compliance affidavits had been filed despite ample time. The bench noted that only Telangana, West Bengal and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had filed their reports so far, exempting the chief secretaries of the two states mentioned above from personal appearance. The court clarified that the Delhi chief secretary would also have to show up on November 3 and that the report by MCD would not suffice. “Let chief secretaries of all states and Union territories remain present before this court on November 3 along with an explanation why no compliance affidavit was filed till date,” the bench, also comprising justices Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria, ordered.