INDIA
The court has asked Chief Secretaries of states and UTs to provide data on cases of dog bites and "removal/ destruction" of stray dogs as prescribed under the Rules.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the elimination of only "irretrievably ill or mortally wounded" stray dogs in a "humane manner" and asked all states and union territories to go by the central rules on the issue.
Maintaining that a "balance between compassion for animals and human lives" has to be struck, a bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh said the "life of a dog is not more important than the life of a human being. ... Life is the glorious gift of nature and the compassion for animals and human lives should harmoniously co-exist."
The bench made it clear that "removal/destruction" of a particular kind of stray bovines has to be done under the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act.
For the time being, it was not dealing with the relevant provisions of municipal laws of Maharashtra and Kerala but rather ordering the authorities to act as per the 2001 Rules framed under the central legislation the PCA Act.
When pointed out by counsel that some High Courts may come up with a contrary orders by taking note of such issues under the respective municipal laws, the apex court made it clear that it was asking all states and union territories to follow the central rules which will override.
The court has asked Chief Secretaries of states and UTs to provide data on cases of dog bites and "removal/ destruction" of stray dogs as prescribed under the Rules.
It has also asked the authorities to apprise it of the steps taken for welfare of stray dogs. The rules require creation of shelter homes and isolation wards for certain kinds of stray dogs.
The bench is hearing a bunch of pleas including Animal Welfare Board of India's petition to decide on the issue of primacy of laws framed by Centre and state governments in this regard.
One of the pleas has been filed against Kerala High Court decision approving culling of stray dogs by the Thiruvananthapuram civic body on a PIL by advocate Anupam Tripathi.
The apex court has refused to stay the HC decision saying that the killing of dangerous dogs and those inflicted with rabies should be guided by rules.
Anjali Sharma, appearing for the Animal Welfare Board of India, said there "cannot and should not be indiscriminate" killing of stray dogs.
The court, in its order, referred to various provisions of the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rule and asked civic authorities to act as per them.
The Rules provide that stray dogs can only be sterilised and immunised and then returned to the very location from where they were picked up from, once they recover after the animal birth control surgery, Sharma said.
"Only with respect to irretrievably ill or mortally wounded dogs, humane euthanasia, i.e. Mercy killing in the manner prescribed in Rule 9 is to be resorted to by vets (and none else)," she said.
The court is also dealing with the legal question as to whether state municipal laws, which allow "destruction of stray dogs" are to be upheld or whether central law and the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, framed under the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act providing for animal birth control of stray canines in the manner prescribed, is to be upheld.
Maharashtra government is also seeking lifting of stay granted by the apex court on the Bombay High Court's verdict.
The High Court had allowed civic bodies in the state to cull stray dogs which are creating nuisance for public order and common persons' health.
DNA TV Show: How US Presidential election results may impact the world
Sharda Sinha dies at 72: Who are there in her family?
Who was Sharda Sinha aka Bihar Kokila, famous for Chhath and Maine Pyar Kiya songs?
Bihar Kokila Sharda Sinha passes away in AIIMS, son Anshuman confirms news
Parliament's winter session to begin from Nov 25, to continue till Dec 20
IPL 2025 mega auction dates announced: Check no. of players, venue, where to watch and more
Deepinder Goyal reveals customers' reaction to wife Grecia Munoz delivering Zomato orders
Infosys founder Narayana Murthy flirts with Sudha Murty in viral video from Kapil Sharma show
Ajay Devgn's fans don't want Singham Again to become a blockbuster: 'Rohit Shetty jab tak hai...'
Types, Most Popular and Where to Buy Peptides for Bodybuilding
Luxury in the City of Light: SABO Boutique Hotel Brings Elegance to Varanasi’s Sacred Ghats
Virat Kohli, Babar Azam could play for same team as Afro-Asia Cup set for revival
Shaping the Future of Web Apps: Full Stack Developer’s Expertise in API Design and Cloud Deployment
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Software Performance and Security
Mastering Linux for Superior Sound
Amid divorce rumours of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, Aaradhya praises mother in viral video
AI in Data Warehousing: Future Trends and Innovations
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio IPO worth Rs 840960 crore in 2025: All you need to know
After India's 0-3 loss against New Zealand, Shah Rukh Khan calls Gautam Gambhir...
BIG revelation on Imane Khelif, Olympic gold medallist boxer's medical repot leaked, it confirms…
Meet man who built Rs 152000 crore company, donated Rs 100 crore, now set to lead US firm as...
Visa Uncertainty: Impact of US polls on global talent
Virat Kohli turns 36: IPL franchises send heartwarming birthday wishes to legendary India cricketer
Meet Sanjay Verma, the new DGP of Maharashtra who replaced Rashmi Shukla
Anushka Sharma shares FIRST photo of Akaay, Vamika to celebrate Virat Kohli’s birthday
CAT 2024 admit card to be out today at iimcat.ac.in; know release time, steps to download
Vikas Divyakirti UPSC Tips: Check strategy to crack IAS exam, aspirants should study for...
Video of Pakistani man putting hand into chained tiger's mouth goes viral, social media reacts
Shalini Passi reveals her husband's connection to Shah Rukh Khan's wife Gauri Khan, they were..
SC upholds validity of UP madrassa law, says it does not violate principle of secularism
US Presidential Elections 2024: What time do the polls close; when will the results be known?
Elon Musk shares controversial post on X amid US election results, video goes viral
Mukesh Ambani's company earned Rs 15393 crore last week, his net worth now stands at...
Chhath Puja 2024: Know about Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, Usha Arghya, date, timings and puja vidhi
Virat Kohli Birthday: Legendary batter turns 36, here's a look at his incredible milestones
When Ratan Tata met his first true love after 50 years, went for dinner together, know who she was
Samantha Ruth Prabhu hits back at trolls who body-shamed her: 'If you guys...'
Two fall prey to Narayana Murthy and Mukesh Ambani's deepfake videos, lose Rs 80 lakh: Report
North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward sea ahead of US election
Deepika Padukone romances Hrithik Roshan in Bikini, looks sizzling hot in UNSEEN viral video
Chhath Puja 2024: Top 50 wishes, What'sApp messages, quotes to share with your loved ones
Meet Caroline Emmons, Ratan Tata's 'first love' with whom he couldn't marry due to...
Who is Rohan Jaitley, frontrunner to replace Jay Shah as BCCI secretary?
World’s most expensive human tooth is valued over Rs 3000000, it belonged to…
Viral video: Little girl’s adorable dance to Lisa Haydon’s 'Manali Trance' impresses internet, watch
SC to deliver its verdict on pleas against Allahabad HC order scrapping UP madrasa law today
DNA TV Show: Why Election Commission changed Assembly by-elections' dates
Days after imposing fine on Anil Ambani, Sebi now issues Rs 130 crore demand notices to...
Thailand announces indefinite visa-free entry for Indian travellers
Meet daughter of billionaire, who studied in UK, now works in Rs 32770 crore Indian company as...
MUDA case: Lokayukta police summon Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah for questioning on...
This city is 4000 years old, belongs to bronze age where 500 people lived, it is located in...