HC to pass orders on PIL for allowing pets access to parks

The Delhi High Court today said it will pass a detailed order on a PIL seeking directions to the authorities to allow pet dogs to be taken to public parks or provide designated parks for the same.
A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said it will issue directions in a day or two and dispose of the matter.
The court was hearing the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Anupam Tripathi who has sought directions to the Centre and Delhi government "to allow access for pet dogs to walk in the parks" under their jurisdiction.

He has also sought directions to the authorities "to convert some percentage of existing public parks within their jurisdiction into designated dog parks".
Tripathi has contended that providing such a facility "shall help reduce conflict between pet-owners and non-pet owners, especially RWAs, which has been a lurking issue of tussle between the two sides for a long time in Delhi and NCR".
He has submitted that pet-owners should be granted access to the over 6900 parks in the capital for walking pet dogs at specific timings and subject to rules for the same as may be framed by the authorities.

During the proceedings, counsel for Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) told the court that the relief sought by Tripathi "is not unreasonable".

The Board also admitted there is a serious issue of conflict between pet-owners and non-pet owners.
The court, however, asked the Board why it was not doing its duty by holding discussions and formulating schemes to address the issue.
In response, the counsel for AWBI said it is only an advisory body and has no powers under the law to take up the issue.
The counsel also said that the Board has issued a circular enumerating what is lawful and what is not with respect to pet dogs.