SC Issue Stay on Bombay HC’s Order to Release Stray Dogs near Pune Society

The Supreme Court has put a stay on an order from the Bombay High Court, which had called for the reintroduction of approximately 60 stray dogs to the same residential area in Wadgaon-Sheri. These dogs were taken up to the shelters which are under the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) over two months ago. 

The Supreme Court’s decision was made on May 15 and responded to a petition filed by the Brahma Suncity Cooperative Housing Society, challenging the Bombay High Court’s order to release the dogs. Justices J.K. Maheshwari and M.M. Sundaresh, who presided over the Supreme Court bench, have requested a response from animal rights activist Vineeta Tandon. This case will be heard on June 26 again.

On April 24, the Bombay High Court directed the Pune police to assist the PMC in reintroducing the stray dogs to the area. The PMC had taken custody of the dogs following an alleged dog bite incident within the society, and they were kept at three pounds. The issue was brought before the High Court through a petition filed by activist Vineeta Tandon, who sought the immediate release of the stray dogs.

Despite the Supreme Court’s order on May 15, the PMC had already released 25 dogs in the early hours of May 13, complying with the High Court’s directive. Sarika Punde, a civic veterinary officer at the PMC, confirmed that all released dogs had undergone sterilization, vaccination, and deworming procedures.