Supreme Court (Inset) stray dogs
Credit: PTI Photos
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday said it will issue directions on November 7 with respect to the stray dogs menace being faced in institutions, including government and public sector ones, where employees are supporting, feeding and encouraging the canines.
A three-judge special bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria was hearing the matter.
"Apart from recording the appearance and affidavits and everything, we will also be issuing some directions with respect to institutional menace which is being faced in government institutions, public sector institutions and other institutions where the employees are supporting, feeding and encouraging dogs in that area. For that, we will definitely be issuing some directions," Justice Nath said.
One of the advocates appearing in the matter urged the bench that they be heard prior to passing of directions on the issue.
"For institutional matters, we are not going to hear any arguments at all. Sorry," Justice Mehta said.
The bench noted that chief secretaries of most of the states and Union Territories were present before it.
It allowed the exemption application filed by the chief secretary of Kerala and noted that a principal secretary of the state was present in the court.
The bench said the Animal Welfare Board of India be made a party in the matter.
At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench that most of the states and UTs have filed their compliance affidavit in the matter.
"List for orders on November 7," the bench said.
It said personal presence of the chief secretaries of states and UTs would no longer be required.
However, the bench said their presence would again become necessary in case there was any default in compliance of the orders passed by the court. While hearing the matter on October 27, the top court had directed the chief secretaries of states and UTs, except West Bengal and Telangana, to remain present before it on November 3 to explain why compliance affidavits were not filed despite the court's August 22 order.
The apex court on August 22 asked the states and UTs about the steps being taken for compliance of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.