Bombay HC Seeks Maharashtra Stray Dog Census, Sterilisation Data And Anti-Rabies Vaccine Figures

Mumbai, October 9, 2026: The Bombay High Court has requested specific information from the Maharashtra state government regarding its stray dog population, the number of sterilizations performed, and the accessibility of anti-rabies vaccines. The court aims to evaluate the effectiveness of initiatives aimed at curbing dog attacks and rabies incidents.

Bench of CJI Tripathi and Justice Sethna is currently considering a case brought up suo motu concerning stray dog attacks and rabies. Background of the Case The court seeks data on the actions taken by Maharashtra's Animal Husbandry Department, such as allocated funds for controlling the stray dog population and the number of dogs yet to be sterilized.

Senior advocate Mihir Desai, who has been appointed as amicus curiae, emphasized the necessity of having accurate data on the total stray dog population to assess the impact of sterilization programs. Gaps in Data According to a memorandum submitted by Desai, 150,594 dogs were sterilized across urban local bodies in the past six months.

However, he pointed out that 128 out of Maharashtra's 831 government hospitals lacked anti-rabies vaccines, while 381 did not have rabies immunoglobulin. Desai also raised concerns about the absence of a dedicated helpline for reporting dog-bite incidents. He criticized the lack of a state animal welfare board and sought information about shelters complying with guidelines set by the Animal Welfare Board of India for managing stray dogs in institutional premises.

Current Data The government provided sterilization figures, showing 13,382 procedures carried out in September 2026. However, advocate Zal Andhyarujina, representing a stray dog welfare organization, stated that around 75% of Mumbai's stray dogs had been sterilized. Government Response The government assured the court that it is open to suggestions and mentioned that a livestock census conducted every five years could help estimate the population. The court directed the state to submit an updated chart by November 2.