‘Nip the disease in the bud’: Bombay High Court’s sterilisation push for stray dogs

The Bombay High Court has proposed a vigorous implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme to control the stray dog population in Maharashtra, stating that stopping the growth of these dogs could resolve the major issue at hand. Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge advised the state's lawyer that aggressive sterilisation through the ABC programme would prevent dogs from reproducing.

Instead of chasing the growing number of dogs, the focus should be on sterilising adult dogs to ensure no puppies are born. The court emphasized that if the growth is halted, the rest of the problem will resolve itself. The High Court, hearing a suo motu writ petition in response to the Supreme Court's 2025 judgment on stray dog management, observed that dog-related attacks have become increasingly alarming due to years of poor ABC framework implementation.

The court warned that the state cannot remain a passive observer as citizens face constant threats from dog attacks and directed the high courts to take the initiative. The lawyer for the state mentioned that compliance includes the ABC programme, and the court stressed the importance of concentrating on the ABC programme to prevent further growth of stray dogs.

Once the programme is vigorously implemented, there will be no further increase in the dog population, and the remaining dogs can be sterilised and prevented from becoming rabid. The judge emphasized that stopping the growth of dogs should be the primary solution, followed by ensuring all available dogs are sterilised and rabies-free, making feeding and management easier. The matter will be heard on September 11.