Law and rules are there to control the stray dog menace, but they have been ignored by government authorities along with NGOs. There should not be only nominal action to curb the stray dog nuisance. Action should be earnest. I thank the Supreme Court for directing, on Friday (November 7, 2025), all government institutions, including hospitals, public sports complexes, bus stands, depots, and railway stations, to properly fence their premises to prevent the entry of stray dogs, taking note of the “alarming rise” in dog-bite incidents across the country.
However, funding should also be provided to animal shelters for basic facilities, medical care, and food. Stray animals should be treated humanely, and cleanliness must be maintained in the shelters. Workers at these shelters should be paid salaries as per the Eighth Pay Commission.
The Supreme Court held that it would be the responsibility of the concerned local authorities to remove stray dogs from such premises and relocate them to designated shelters after vaccination and sterilisation, in accordance with the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.
The Bench further directed that stray dogs captured from these areas must not be released back into the same locality. “Permitting the same would frustrate the very purpose of liberating such institutions from the presence of stray dogs,” the Bench said.
I know that running an animal NGO is a big responsibility and challenge. But as per the law and depending on the availability of funds, it is the duty of NGOs and government authorities to control the dog menace through regular vaccination and sterilisation in accordance with the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.
Under the RTI Act, I had sought the audit report of NGOs in Bardez Taluka from the Animal Husbandry Department, but I received incomplete information. I did not raise the issue then, hoping that the department would direct Bardez NGOs to vaccinate and sterilise stray dogs in our area. The NGO visited once and trapped only two dogs, while the rest remain around our vicinity, feeding their puppies. I request the NGO to complete their work in the coming days, in line with the court’s order. Let the government also make proper budgetary provisions. Finally, the law regulates everything, so let us respect our Constitution.
