Hundreds of dogs, who were picked amid preparations for the Independence Day celebrations, are expected to be released in a day or two from the ABC centres after they are vaccinated (Archive)Designating feeding spots in all 250 wards, marking shelters for aggressive canines, and stepping up the ABC (animal birth control) programme — the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is all set to implement the Supreme Court’s revised order on stray dogs in a stepwise manner, officials said on Friday.Hundreds of dogs, who were picked amid preparations for the Independence Day celebrations, are expected to be released in a day or two from the ABC centres after they are vaccinated, said sources, adding that a circular in this regard will soon be released.In a meeting held with officials and dog lovers, MCD Standing Committee Chairperson Satya Sharma directed that a concrete action plan be immediately prepared to ensure large-scale sterilisation of the strays.In its Friday order, a bench of Justices Vikaram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria of the Supreme Court said that dogs will not be removed from the streets — as directed earlier by a two-judge bench on August 11 — and instead be picked up, sterilised, vaccinated and released at the original site. The order goes in line with the current Animal Birth Control Rule (ABC) 2023.The directions, however, will not apply to dogs infected with rabies or suspected to be infested with rabies, as well those displaying aggressive behaviour. Such dogs have to be kept in shelters. But the Capital has no dedicated shelters for strays at present, and only nonprofits run such centres.“We are ready to follow every direction of the apex court. We will continue to shelter the aggressive dogs in a phase-wise manner as and when we receive complaints from the RWAs,” an official of the MCD’s Veterinary department said.Sunder Singh, chairman of the sub-committee formed by the MCD to solve the issue, said: “We will shelter these dogs in the ABC centres located in Bela Road ABC and Dwarka’s Sector 29 since we have a space of around 2-2.5 acres, which can house around 3,000 dogs.” A meeting, he added, will be held on Monday to decide the plan of action.Story continues below this adThe feeding areas, the official added, will be identified within two-three days following site inspection, and budget estimation even as there are concerns about budget allocation.Meanwhile, Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh welcomed the decision of the apex court. “It is a good decision taking everyone into consideration. We will collaborate with the RWAs and dog feeders to demarcate the feeding spots,” he asserted, and underlined that the civic body has adequate staff in each ward.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd