Maharashtra bars release of sterilised stray dogs near schools, hospitals; mandates feeding zones

Mumbai, Jul 15 (PTI) Maharashtra has directed urban local bodies not to release sterilised and vaccinated stray dogs near schools, hospitals and airports, and asked them to earmark designated feeding zones and establish helplines for complaints, according to a Government Resolution (GR). The GR also suggested that rabid, terminally ill or extremely aggressive dogs may be “euthanised after consultation with veterinary experts” and in compliance with the law, also offering legal protection to officials in genuine cases. As per the GR, issued recently by the Urban Development Department, civic bodies must capture stray dogs for sterilisation, vaccination and deworming, create shelters for them and identify specific places where they can be fed. The circular was issued in compliance with directions passed by the Supreme Court from time to time in its suo motu proceedings on the stray dog matter. As per the GR, all municipal corporations, municipal councils and nagar panchayats must strictly implement the court’s directions without any relaxation. The top court had passed an order last year over relocation and sterilisation of stray dogs, stressing that the right to live with dignity includes the right to move freely without the fear of dog attacks, triggering sharp reactions from a section of animal lovers. In May this year, it dismissed petitions urging it to recall the order. The state government has also directed every urban local body in the state to set up a helpline to receive complaints related to stray dogs and undertake large-scale public awareness campaigns on treatment and preventive measures following dog bites. Under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, the government said sterilised and vaccinated stray dogs must not be released in protected and access-controlled places such as schools, hospitals and airports. It further directed civic bodies to assess local conditions and public safety and extend similar measures to other crowded public places, including educational institutions, sports complexes, bus stands and depots, interstate bus terminals and railway station premises, the GR said. Stray dogs found in such locations should be immediately captured, sterilised and vaccinated before being shifted to established shelters, and they should not be released back at the same locations, it said, directing officials to earmark designated feeding zones. To improve implementation of the Animal Birth Control programme, the government has asked civic bodies to strengthen existing sterilisation and vaccination centres, create additional institutional infrastructure, wherever required, and enhance their capacity. It also directed local bodies to increase the number of sterilisation centres based on the stray dog population, density and geographical spread, while ensuring adequate veterinary infrastructure, surgical facilities, trained personnel and supporting arrangements. The government said that in areas where stray dog numbers have reached alarming levels or where repeated bite incidents and aggressive attacks have posed a threat to public safety, rabid, terminally ill or extremely aggressive dogs may be euthanised after consultation with veterinary experts. It clarified that such action must strictly comply with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. The GR also instructed civic bodies to ensure adequate stocks of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin at all public health centres and hospitals to provide an effective response to dog bite cases. It further asked authorities to coordinate with the National Highways Authority of India to tackle the issue of stray animals on national highways in accordance with court directions. The government said legal protection would be available to officials implementing the court’s directions in good faith, and no FIR or criminal proceedings would be initiated against them for such actions. However, the protection would not apply where there was prima facie evidence that an official had acted with mala fides, misused official powers or violated court orders. The GR also warned that officials who repeatedly failed to comply with the Supreme Court’s directions could face legal action, including contempt of court proceedings. PTI ND NR