The Supreme Court issued an interim stay on Wednesday against a directive from the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, which mandated that individuals wishing to feed stray dogs must either bring them home or place them in a shelter. Justices Sanjiv Khanna and J K Maheshwari, hearing a plea by animal enthusiasts against the high court’s ruling, granted the Nagpur Municipal Corporation and Animal Welfare Board (AWB) time to respond, emphasizing that no coercive measures should be taken in the meantime.
The bench also instructed the municipal corporation to facilitate the public feeding of strays at designated locations until specific areas are identified. It clarified that municipal authorities can, in the meantime, address any issues caused by street dogs in accordance with the law. The court urged those feeding strays to ensure that no nuisances are created.
Justice Khanna underscored the need to strike a balance between conflicting interests, stating, “If there are no street dogs, there might be other consequences. There will always be conflict. We need to take care of both sides.” The court rejected the argument that stray dogs should be adopted or kept in captivity.
A counsel representing AWB argued that not feeding stray dogs could lead to increased aggression. The counsel asserted that adhering to existing guidelines on feeding strays issued by AWB would prevent problems. In October, the high court had directed citizens and residents of Nagpur not to feed stray dogs in public places, gardens, etc. It mandated that those interested in feeding strays must adopt the dog, register it with municipal authorities, or place it in a shelter before providing care and affection.