SC STAYED ON THE ORDER PASSED BY DELHI HC REGARDING THE WELFARE OF STRAY DOGS

The Top Court stayed an order passed by the Delhi High Court, which had given directions for the welfare of stray dogs after concluding that they have the right to food. The Supreme Court said stray dogs must have access to food and water and that Resident Welfare Associations must ensure the same.

The ruling came in July 2021 through a suit filed to stop certain individuals from feeding stray dogs. The dispute was resolved amicably between the parties. However, the HC was asked to lay down guidelines in regards to feeding the stray dogs.

Justice JR Midha then held that stray dogs have the right to food. Further, citizens have the right to feed stray dogs and no person can stop any other person from feeding dogs until and unless it is causing harassment to that other person. 

It was contended before the division bench of Justice Vineet Saran and Justice Aniruddha Bose that the petitioners before the Delhi HC intentionally withheld information from the Court. Consequently, the judgment of the HC was based upon several misleading, factually incorrect statements and misinformation.