Order of the High Court of Delhi in the matter of Anita Santiago Vs Municipal Corporation of Delhi & Others dated 11/09/2023.

The present Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed by the Petitioner bringing attention to the mechanism adopted by the MCD for the capture and subsequent release of street dogs in Delhi during special events like Independence Day, Republic Day and most recently, the G20 Summit, 2023.

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Counsel for the Petitioner states that the detailed mechanism for the capture and release of dogs has been prescribed under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 (ABC Rules) and should be followed diligently by the MCD. It is highlighted that the ABC Rules mandate that the dogs should be identified with numbered collars immediately upon capture so that proper records can be maintained which would subsequently facilitate their release in the same locality from where they were captured. He also asked that the assistance of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) should be sought by the MCD.

Counsel for the MCD has stated that the process of releasing the dogs that were captured in preparation for the G20 Summit has already been initiated in strict adherence to the ABC Rules and with the assistance of the AWBI. The submissions were affirmed by the Counsel for the AWBI.

The Delhi High Court directed the authorities to ensure strict compliance with all the provisions prescribed under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 relating to capture and release of street dogs.