SC orders tighter waste disposal to curb stray dog menace within premises

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has issued a fresh directive aimed at curbing the growing presence of stray dogs within its complex, following a “significant increase” in incidents involving the animals in recent months.

In a circular issued by the Administrative General Branch, court staff and visitors have been instructed to strictly dispose of leftover food in covered dustbins, warning that no food should be thrown into open areas or uncovered containers.

“Under no circumstances should food be discarded in open areas or uncovered containers. This measure is crucial to prevent animals from being attracted to and scavenging for food, thereby significantly reducing the risk of bites and maintaining hygiene standards,” stated the circular.

The directive comes amid rising concerns over dogs being spotted inside lifts and roaming through corridors of the court complex.

The circular also makes reference to a similar advisory issued in September last year, following a joint consultation between the Supreme Court and officials from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

That earlier notification had stressed the same hygiene protocol to deter stray animals by ensuring proper disposal of food waste.

Court bench calls situation ‘grim’

A day prior to the circular, a Bench of Justices J. B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan issued strong directions to civic authorities across the Delhi-NCR region, ordering the immediate capture and relocation of stray dogs to designated shelters.

The bench flagged a growing risk to public safety, citing increased reports of dog bites and rabies cases, particularly affecting vulnerable groups.

The Justice Pardiwala-led Bench described the situation as “grim” and emphasised that urgent action was necessary to ensure the safety of children, women, and the elderly on the streets.

Civic bodies ordered to take immediate action

The court has directed agencies under MCD, NDMC, and their counterparts in Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad to ensure public spaces are cleared of stray dogs. It also warned that any individuals or organisations obstructing the process would face strict legal consequences.

Civic bodies have also been instructed to transport the dogs to shelters, and where such facilities do not exist, construct them without delay. The court has asked for a report detailing the progress and infrastructure plans to be submitted within eight weeks.

With IANS inputs