'India shown in bad light': SC summons chief secretaries of states, UTs on November 3 in stray dogs case

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday told the chief secretaries of states and Union Territories, other than West Bengal and Telangana, to appear before it on November 3 to explain why compliance affidavits were not filed in the stray dogs case.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria found that only the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and states of West Bengal and Telangana have filed their compliance affidavits in pursuance to the apex court's August 22 order, seeking details of the steps taken to implement the Animal Birth Control Rules.

Hearing the case registered suo motu, the court expressed displeasure with the states for their failure to file an affidavit in the matter.

"Didn't the officers read newspapers or social media? Haven't they read, even if they are not served they should have been here. All Chief Secretaries to be present here on November 3 ... We will hold the court in auditorium," the bench observed.

The court cautioned that if the concerned officers are not present on the next date of hearing, on November 3, then costs will be imposed or coercive steps will be taken against them.

The bench also noted continuous incidents are happening in the country, bringing down the image of the country in the eyes of foreign nations.

"We are also reading news reports," the bench said, referring to such incidents.

On August 22, the Supreme Court decided to expand the scope of the proceedings with regard to stray dogs menace beyond Delhi-National Capital Region, to evolve a pan-India policy.

Applying a "holistic approach", the court, however, allowed relocation of community canines after vaccination to the streets, finding its August 11 order, prohibiting so, as "too harsh" and against the "compassionate treatment".

The court then said it would be necessary to have a look at the existing infrastructure and human resources available with the municipal bodies.

The court directed for the impleadment of all States and Union Territories in the matter, so as to seek information from each authority regarding the steps being taken for compliance of the ABC (Animal Birth Control) Rules in their respective jurisdictions.

The court also ordered transfer of all pending matters before the High Courts to this court for analogous consideration along with the main matter.

The court had also said, "Feeding of stray dogs at public places is prohibited and appropriate action would be taken against person for doing so. Unregulated feeding not allowed as it creates problems to common man."

Emphasising the need that better facilities like, helpline to be created to complain against violations in this regard, the top court added that no individual/organization cannot cause any hindrance in discharge of duties by officers.