The Supreme Court on Monday took a serious view of the threat posed by stray dogs, issuing a order that mandates immediate, stern action by authorities to address the problem of dog bites and rabies, particularly concerning children.

A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, after hearing arguments from Amicus Curiae Gaurav Agarwal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, declared the situation "extremely grim."

The court issued a five-point directive to the NCT of Delhi, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), and the appropriate authorities in Noida and Gurugram.

Key Directives from the Supreme Court

Immediate Shelter Creation: The authorities are ordered to immediately create dog shelters and report on the new infrastructure within eight weeks. These shelters must have sufficient personnel for the sterilization and long-term detention of dogs, which are not to be released back into public places. CCTV will monitor the facilities to ensure no dogs are taken out.

Swift Roundup of Dogs: The court directed authorities to begin picking up stray dogs from all localities, especially vulnerable areas, within six weeks, starting with a target of 5,000 dogs, legal portal Live Law reported. The bench stressed that this must be the "first and foremost exercise to make all localities free of stray dogs." It warned that any individual or organization hindering the roundup will face "stern action." The court emphasized that the safety of infants and young children must be the priority, stating that "no sentiments should be involved."

Strict Record Keeping: All authorities are directed to maintain a daily record of stray dogs captured and detained. The court issued a strong warning that if any dog is found to be released, it will take "stern action."

Helpline for Complaints: A helpline must be created within one week to report all cases of dog bites and rabies. Authorities must take action to pick up the dog within four hours of a complaint. Any hindrance will be viewed as contempt of court. The captured dogs must be sterilized and not released.

Vaccine Availability: The concerned authorities are directed to provide detailed information on the availability and stock of anti-rabies vaccines.

The Supreme Court bench made it clear that any hindrance by individuals or organizations to these measures will be treated as contempt of court. The authorities have been ordered to present a report at the next hearing.