Sr Adv KK Venugopal (for NALSAR, Hyderabad): This... ... Stray Dogs Case : Live Updates From Supreme Court

Sr Adv KK Venugopal (for NALSAR, Hyderabad): This university has an animal law centre. It also has a masters course and PG diploma in animal protection. It has an MoU with Harvard University with regard to animal protection. Our investigation has disclosed statistics not placed earlier before the Court. Data on stray dogs in educational institutions - dog population in India is 5 cr 25 lakhs - no. of shelters required (200 dogs per facility) is 77347...functional shelter requirement per dog 40 sq.ft...cost of feeding a dog per day is Rs. 40...cost of feeding 1.54 crore dogs would be Rs. 61 cr 81 lakhs. [A report shows that] 194,412 schools have no functioning electricity connection...poor toilet facilities, drinking water access...these schools putting up fences etc. when there are such poor facilities.

J Nath: What's your submission?

Venugopal: Enormity of the problem - there are not adequate funds or infrastructure. A Committee shall be constituted comprising heads of animal husbandry departments of 3 successful states...stray dogs should be returned to places from where they are picked up. I can't expect SC will ignore a statutory rule, until that rule is amended, set aside. The order passed to not release dogs in same place is against the rule of law. Let expert committee give report.