After Delhi, order to remove stray dogs issued in Rajasthan too

Rajasthan : The Rajasthan High Court passed this direction on a suo motu petition due to the increasing number of incidents of dog bites on humans and deaths caused by stray animals.

The Rajasthan High Court recently directed municipal bodies to remove stray dogs and other animals from city streets while ensuring that they are treated with minimum physical harm. This order from the Rajasthan High Court comes after the Supreme Court ordered the removal of all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR areas following the rising number of deaths due to dog bites.

The Rajasthan High Court passed this direction on a suo motu petition in which the Court had taken cognizance of the increasing incidents of dog bites and rising deaths caused by stray animals in the state.

The Court clarified that action will be taken against anyone who obstructs the removal of stray animals from roads/colonies/public paths by the municipal bodies. Municipal officers and employees have been given full freedom to take action, including filing FIRs, against those who obstruct their work and impede the discharge of duties of public servants.

The Jodhpur Municipal Corporation has been asked to take immediate action to remove stray animals from AIIMS, Jodhpur and District Court premises – both places frequented by a large number of people.

The National Highways Authority and State Highways Authority have been directed to regularly patrol the highways and ensure smooth movement of vehicles.

The court also asked the municipal corporation to issue numbers or email addresses for citizens to lodge complaints against stray animals.

The court said that if a citizen wants to feed stray animals, he or she will have to do so in shelter homes or cattle ponds.

“We expect from the general public that if they want to feed or provide food or take care of them due to their sentiments or religious beliefs or love for animals, they should carry out such activities in dog shelters and cattle ponds/gaushalas maintained by municipalities or private individual/organisation,” the court said.

The Additional Advocate General (AAG) has been asked to file a detailed report on the condition and maintenance of dog shelters and cattle ponds.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for September 8.