'No leftover food in open': SC issues warning to curb stray dogs in its premises; 'essential for safety of all'

NEW DELHI: A day after directing the relocation of all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR to shelters, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked staff and visitors to ensure all leftover food within its complex is disposed of in covered bins to prevent animal bites.In a circular, the court noted a “significant” rise in stray dogs wandering its corridors and even inside lifts, news agency PTI reported. It warned against discarding food in open areas or uncovered containers, saying such practices attract scavenging animals, raise the risk of bites, and compromise hygiene"All leftover food items must be disposed of exclusively in properly covered dustbins. Under no circumstances should food be discarded in open areas or uncovered containers. This measure is crucial to prevent animals from being attracted to and scavenging for food, thereby significantly reducing the risk of bites and maintaining hygiene standards. Your cooperation in implementing this directive is essential for the safety of all," the circular said.On August 11, a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan termed dog bite incidents “extremely grim” and ordered the Delhi government to create shelters for about 5,000 dogs within six to eight weeks. The bench passed a slew of directions and warned of strict action against an individual or organisation in case of obstruction, which might also prompt the court to initiate contempt proceedings."If any individual or any organisation comes in the way of such force picking up stray dogs and rounding them up, and if it is reported to us, we shall proceed to take strict action against any such resistance which may be offered," the bench said.The bench further remarked if the animal activists and "so-called lovers" would be able to bring back children who fell prey to rabies."Will they put life back to those children? When the situation demands, you have to act," it said.The top court was hearing a suo motu case initiated on July 28 over stray dog bites leading to rabies in the national capital.The top court on Monday directed all the strays to be removed and put in shelters by the Delhi government and civic bodies of Gurugram, Noida and Ghaziabad.It ordered dog shelters to have sufficient personnel to sterilise and immunise the dogs aside from looking after them. The centres would be under CCTV surveillance to ensure the dog remains in the facility.