Bombay High Court Advocates for Intensive Stray Dog Sterilization
The Bombay High Court has urged the Maharashtra government to implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program more aggressively to control the stray dog population. A division bench led by Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge and Justice Gautam A. Ankhad has highlighted the importance of prioritizing the sterilization of adult dogs as a strategy to naturally curb the growth of stray dogs.
During the session, Acting Chief Justice Ghuge emphasized the necessity of the ABC program. He stated, “Your administration must realize one thing, that if you implement that ABC program aggressively, there will be no growth of dogs (stray). Every dog which is sterilized through the ABC program, there can be no procreation.” The court suggested that sterilizing adult dogs rather than attempting to manage an increasing number of stray dogs could effectively address the issue.
The court’s remarks were made in the context of a suo motu petition, initiated following the Supreme Court’s directive on May 19, 2025, regarding national stray dog management. The Supreme Court had previously cautioned states against being “passive spectators” to threats to public safety, mandating High Courts to ensure compliance with these directives.
Additional government pleader O.A. Chandurkar informed the court that Maharashtra’s compliance plan includes the ABC program. Acting CJ Ghuge shared a successful example from the High Court’s 57-acre Aurangabad campus, where a veterinary team effectively sterilized the stray dogs. “If you go to that premises now, you will hardly find 3 to 4 stray dogs as their population has stopped,” he noted, underscoring the effectiveness of rigorous sterilization efforts.
Justice Ghuge further highlighted that stopping the growth of the stray dog population could simplify other issues such as rabies control 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,” remarked the bench.
The court called for further updates on compliance with the ABC program and scheduled the next hearing for September 11. The emphasis remains on halting the birth of new puppies, thereby ‘nipping the disease in the bud’ and resolving the broader issues related to stray dog management.
