Nip it in the bud: Bombay High Court calls for aggressive sterilisation of stray dogs

The Bombay High Court on Friday suggested that the Maharashtra government aggressively implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme to halt the growth of stray dog population. 

A division bench of acting Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge and Justice Gautam A Ankhad emphasised that prioritising sterilisation of adult dogs over managing expanding numbers would naturally address the issue.

The bench observed that halting the growth of the stray dog population is key to resolving the broader crisis.

“Your administration must realise one thing, that if you implement that ABC program aggressively, there will be no growth of dogs (stray). Every dog which is sterilised through the ABC program, there can be no procreation,” ACJ Ghuge said. 

He emphasised that instead of trying to catch hold of the growing number of dogs, the State could catch adult dogs and sterilise them.

“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 judge said. 

The bench’s remarks came in 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.

Additional government pleader OA Chandurkar confirmed on Friday that Maharashtra’s compliance roadmap included the ABC programme. The acting CJ shared his experience at the High Court’s 57-acre Aurangabad campus, where a veterinary team sterilised the 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.

Thus, the authorities should focus on vigorous sterilisation, he underscored. He also noted that stopping population growth simplifies 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," 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.

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