New Delhi, Jan. 21 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday clarified that its earlier observations on fixing accountability on stray dog feeders were made "very seriously" and not sarcastically, while pulling up former minister and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi for making what it termed contemptuous remarks about the court and its proceedings. A bench of justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria was hearing a batch of petitions on the management of stray dogs across the country, amid rising concerns over dog bite incidents and alleged non-implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules. The clarification came during submissions by advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for an intervenor, who cautioned that the court's oral observations - particularly on holding dog feeders responsible for attacks - were being interpreted on the ground as sanctioning action against feeders. Bhushan suggested that the remark may have been made sarcastically. Rejecting this, the bench said: "No, we didn't make it sarcastically. We said it very seriously," adding that oral observations made during court proceedings could not be diluted merely because they formed part of an exchange with counsel. Bhushan argued that the core issue was the failure of sterilisation programmes in most cities, despite evidence of success in places such as Jaipur and Goa. He said sterilisation reduced aggressiveness and suggested a public reporting mechanism for unsterilised dogs. The top court's bench reiterating that the matter involved serious questions of public safety....