Bombay High Court Directs Maharashtra to Aggressively Implement Stray Dog Sterilisation
The Bombay High Court on Friday directed the Maharashtra government to aggressively implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, observing that controlling the growing stray dog population is essential to tackling dog attacks and rabies across the state.
A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad heard a suo motu petition initiated after the Supreme Court directed High Courts to monitor stray dog issues and dog-bite incidents in their respective states.
During the hearing in Mumbai, Additional Government Pleader O A Chandurkar submitted multiple affidavits on behalf of the state government, stating that the implementation of the ABC programme was among the measures currently underway.
The bench emphasised that sterilisation must be executed on a large scale and effectively to halt the growth of the stray animal population. Acting Chief Justice Ghuge noted that aggressive implementation of the sterilisation programme would prevent the growth of stray dogs.
The court observed that municipal and state authorities should focus specifically on catching and sterilising adult dogs rather than merely attempting to capture growing numbers of stray animals. The bench stated that preventing the birth of puppies would tackle the root cause of the issue, adding that stopping the population growth would allow authorities to resolve the primary problem.
The judges noted that once the dog population is controlled, the administration can better concentrate on other management measures, including the prevention of rabies and proper care of remaining animals.
The High Court also enquired about the frequency with which data concerning rabies cases, medical supplies, and related information is updated on the state government's official website. Chandurkar informed the court that the portal is updated on a regular basis.
Senior advocate Mihir Desai was appointed as amicus curiae to assist the court in the matter. The bench instructed the state government to submit updated compliance reports and data at every hearing.
The Supreme Court had previously asked High Courts to intervene, stating that the stray dog issue and related attacks had reached serious levels while warning that the state cannot remain a passive spectator to threats faced by citizens.
The Bombay High Court has scheduled the next hearing for September 11.
