Athar directs compliance with court directions in letter and spirit
Kulgam: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam Athar Aamir Khan, Monday convened a detailed review meeting of the District Level Committee (DLC), to assess the implementation of the directions issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, in Suo Motu Writ Petition (Civil) No. 5 of 2025 titled “City Hounded by Stray Dogs, Kids Pay Price vs. State of Andhra Pradesh,” along with connected matters.
During the meeting, held at Mini Secretariat Kulgam, the DC Instructed that compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions must be ensured in letter and spirit.
The DC directed CEO to ensure that no stray dogs enter or remain within school campuses and must coordinate with local authorities wherever interventions are required.
During the meeting, the DC also issued a series of specific instructions to further strengthen the district-wide response to stray dog management.
He directed the Municipal Committees for separate shelter sheds and quarantine centres for dogs and instructed immediate identification of suitable land parcels within one week, ensuring that the locations remain away from populated areas and ACD/ACP was also instructed to ensure separate shelter sheds in Panchayats as well.
He discussed in detail the modus operandi to be followed strictly as per the Animal Welfare Rules, 2023.
He further directed implementation of Standard Operating Procedures for shelter sheds and ABC measures in rural areas through cluster formation.
The DC also directed formulation of an inventory of public places, including schools, colleges, and hospitals, to ensure perimeter strengthening so that no stray dogs are present within these campuses, as such presence can pose a threat to children.
He further directed the CMO to ensure availability of Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV) and immunoglobulins in all 24×7 health setups.
The DC directed Chief Education Officer and Heads of Colleges to chalk out detailed awareness programmes related to dog menace, including Dos and Don’ts concerning dog bites and protocol management.
The DC stressed that schools must organise awareness activities for students, teachers, and non-teaching staff on safe behaviour, preventive actions, and ways to avoid stray dog encounters.
He also highlighted the need for strengthened preventive mechanisms, including proper waste management, boundary inspections, and routine monitoring of vulnerable areas within school premises.
He further instructed that all stakeholders to work towards eliminating all risk factors around educational institutions and that the collective efforts of all departments would ensure visible and measurable results on the ground.
The DC directed all stakeholders to maintain close inter-departmental coordination, conduct regular inspections, promptly plug any existing gaps, and ensure time-bound implementation of Hon’ble Supreme Court directions.
He instructed that updated compliance and Action Taken Reports be submitted within the stipulated timeline for further review at district level.
The meeting was attended by ACD, Riyaz Ahmad Shah; CMO, Dr.Showkat Ahmad; CEO, Shabir Ahmad; CAHO, CEO, EOs and other officers.
