The apex court observed that so far, only the Municipal Corporations of Delhi, West Bengal, and Telangana have complied with its earlier order.
Published Oct 27, 2025 | 12:55 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 27, 2025 | 12:55 PM
Stray dogs (Representational image)- iStock
Synopsis: The Supreme Court has directed the personal appearance of Chief Secretaries from all states and Union Territories on 3 November for failing to submit affidavits as instructed in the case concerning the stray dog menace across the country.
The Supreme Court has directed the personal appearance of Chief Secretaries from all states and Union Territories (UTs) on 3 November for failing to submit affidavits as instructed in the case concerning the stray dog menace across the country.
The apex court observed that so far, only the Municipal Corporations of Delhi, West Bengal, and Telangana have complied with its earlier order.
It stated that, apart from these three, Chief Secretaries of all remaining states and UTs must appear before the bench at 10.30 am and explain the reasons for their non-compliance.
The court questioned why the states had not filed affidavits detailing steps taken to implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, based on its 22 August order.
“Pursuant to the order dated 22 August 2025, only three compliance affidavits have been filed. Although the same are not on record, as they were filed during the Deepavali vacations. These States are West Bengal, Telangana, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Notices have been issued to all states and Union Territories. As they have not responded, let the Chief Secretaries of all the states other than these three remain present before this Court on next Monday (3 November) at 10.30 am, along with their respective explanations as to why compliance affidavits have not been filed,” the Bench ordered, reported The Hindu.
The three-judge Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria noted that no representative from the remaining states or UTs was present during the hearing. Expressing displeasure over the lack of compliance, Justice Nath remarked, “Eight weeks’ time was granted in August. Today it is 27 October, no response, nothing.”
Justice Nath further questioned why the Delhi government had failed to submit its compliance report.
On 22 August, the court had modified its earlier suo motu directive requiring civic authorities in Delhi and four adjoining districts to capture all stray dogs and move them to shelters within six to eight weeks.
The court termed its August 11 order “too harsh” and subsequently directed that the animals be released into the localities from which they were captured after undergoing sterilisation, deworming and immunisation.
It had, however, also ordered that this relaxation would not apply to dogs infected or suspected to be infected with rabies, or those displaying aggressive behaviour.
The bench directed municipal bodies to set up dedicated feeding zones in every ward to ensure that no inconvenience is caused due to the feeding of stray dogs in public spaces.
