Delhi High Court
| Photo Credit: File Photo
Calling dogs “great friends of humans”, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the authorities to treat them properly and ensure minimisation of dog-human conflict in the Capital.
Justice Mini Pushkarna also directed the authorities and other parties concerned to give recommendations regarding the rehabilitation of stray dogs.
“Dog is the most loved animal in the world and great friends of humans. It should be ensured that dogs are protected and given dignity,” the court said.
“Either dogs are at home or shelter… not on roads eating garbage. Humans and dogs both are suffering. Neither humans nor dogs are safe,” Justice Pushkarna said.
Upon being informed that sterilisation of around 70% stray dogs would solve the issue, the judge said the proposed solution had been lingering for the last three decades but nothing had changed.
“Sterilisation isn’t working at all. It’s not the solution,” the court said.
The court noted that the only proposal that came about in a meeting conducted by the Delhi Chief Secretary was the sterilisation of dogs.
The court said several animal birth control centres and vet hospitals were non-functional in the city.
It asked the Chief Secretary to call a meeting of all stakeholders concerned on steps for removing strays from the streets and rehabilitating them in an institutional shelter.
The court was hearing a plea filed by one Pratima Devi, who had challenged the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s notice of demolition of a makeshift shelter in Saket, where she looked after more than 200 dogs.
The matter was posted for September 17.
Published – August 07, 2025 01:23 am IST
