New Delhi: Delhi High Court Monday asked the civic authorities in the capital to start a pilot programme for the sterilisation of stray dogs.A bench of Justices Dinesh Mehta and Rajneesh Kumar Gupta asked MCD and NDMC to start a sterilisation camp in one ward each under their jurisdictions. The bench also orally observed the authorities should make sure that at least 5% of the stray dog population is spared so their numbers don’t dwindle critically and the next generation can also see stray dogs.“Prior publicity of this camp in the area shall be given and a placard shall be displayed for wide publicity that stray dogs are not being captured for sending them to dog pounds and that they are being brought to the camp only for sterilisation/vaccination,” HC directed, hearing a suo motu case initiated on SC’s directions.The counsel for MCD said while there is no official data or census, Delhi is estimated to have about eight lakh stray dogs.In May, SC directed state govts and UTs to augment infrastructure to deal with stray dogs and other animals, and asked all HCs to register a suo motu case to ensure compliance with its earlier directions. It ordered the relocation of stray canines to designated shelters after due sterilisation and vaccination.
