Why Bombay High Court Wants Maharashtra Govt To Aggressively Implement Stray Dog Sterilisation

The Bombay High Court on Friday, August 14, urged the Maharashtra government to “aggressively” implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme for sterilisation, saying controlling the growth of the stray-dog population could address what it described as a “major problem” in the state. The court stressed that sterilising adult dogs could prevent further growth and make other aspects of stray-dog management easier.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge and Justice Gautam A Ankhad made the observations while hearing a suo motu petition concerning stray-dog management, Live Law reported. The bench emphasised that authorities should focus on sterilising adult dogs rather than continually trying to manage an expanding population. Kalyan Dog Bite: Dr Sandeep Pagare Gets Show-Cause Notice for Claiming 110-130 People Bitten by Stray Dog.

What Did the Bombay High Court Say?

Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge told the state’s lawyer: “Actually, your administration must realise one thing, that if you implement that ABC program, which you call sterilisation programme, aggressively, there will be no growth of dogs (stray).”

“Every dog that is sterilised through the ABC programme cannot procreate. Instead of trying to catch hold of the growing number of dogs, you have to catch hold of the adult dogs so that it is ensured that they are sterilised. If there is no birth of puppies later, then you are nipping the disease in the bud. If you stop the growth, the rest falls in line,” the high court remarked. Vasai Dog Menace: Pack Chases Girl in Krishna Township Near Mumbai, Video Surfaces.

The bench said that controlling population growth should be the starting point of the state's strategy, after which authorities could focus on managing the remaining stray dogs.

Why Is the ABC Programme Important?

The Animal Birth Control programme is designed to control the stray-dog population through sterilisation and related measures. The court's comments focused on preventing new litters rather than relying primarily on catching and managing increasing numbers of dogs.

The bench also linked population control with other public-health measures, including rabies prevention and feeding.

"Once that is vigorously implemented, there is no further growth of dogs and then you can tackle the remaining ones. Then you only have to ensure and take care that they do not become rabid. In the first place, you should stop the growth of the dogs. So that one major problem is resolved," the bench remarked.

"Then whatever dogs are available, you have to ensure that they are all sterilised and ensure that they do not have rabies. Then feeding and everything becomes easier," the judge added.

Court Cites Aurangabad Campus Experience

The bench's observations came after Additional Government Pleader OA Chandurkar confirmed that Maharashtra's compliance roadmap included the ABC programme. Acting Chief Justice Ghuge referred to his experience at the High Court's 57-acre Aurangabad campus, where a veterinary team had sterilised dogs.

"If you go to that premises now, you will hardly find 3 to 4 stray dogs as their population has stopped," the judge noted. The court used the experience to underline its view that sustained sterilisation could reduce the growth of the stray-dog population and simplify subsequent management.

Case Linked to Supreme Court Directions

The Bombay High Court's proceedings stem from a suo motu petition initiated by the court following the Supreme Court's May 19, 2025 judgment on nationwide stray-dog management.

The apex court had warned that States cannot remain "passive spectators" to public safety threats and directed High Courts to monitor compliance.

Against this backdrop, the Bombay High Court has been seeking updates from Maharashtra authorities on measures being taken to address stray-dog-related concerns.

Maharashtra Government Asked to Step Up Compliance

The bench made clear that it expects the state's ABC programme to be implemented with greater urgency and consistency.

Rather than focusing only on the growing number of dogs requiring intervention, the court said authorities should prioritise adult dogs so that reproduction is reduced and the population can eventually be brought under control.

The High Court sought further compliance updates and adjourned the matter to September 11.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2026 06:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).