The Supreme Court lifted its stay order on a Delhi High Court judgment of 2021. The order stated that stray dogs have the right to food, and citizens also have a right to feed them. The HC in July said that animals have a right under law to be treated with compassion, respect, dignity, and protection.
On June 24, 2021, the Delhi High Court order issued directions on feeding stray dogs. The bench under Justices Vineet Saran and Aniruddha Bose issued notice to AWBI and others and also stayed the operation of the Delhi High Court order.
Today, no one denies a street dog’s hardships, especially in Delhi’s sticky heat. But there are good Samaritans who take time out to feed and care for them. The apex court has now recognized a stray’s right to food and a citizen’s right to feed. The High Court order was earlier contested because of concerns regarding an increase in “stray dog menace,” but the issue has now been put to rest with the SC judgment.
The order further directed the police to make sure no harassment was caused to any caregiver or community dog feeder from residents. To confirm this, the HC further directed the animal welfare board (AWB) to have an animal welfare committee in each society.