The Supreme Court reprimanded several states for submitting misleading affidavits on the implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, warning that non-compliance with orders to remove stray dogs from public institutions would attract strict judicial scrutiny. The bench expressed shock at exaggerated sterilisation claims and gaps in reporting, underscoring the urgent need for accurate data and effective action.
A bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice N V Anjaria reviewed affidavits filed by states on the sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs at schools, hospitals, bus depots, and railway stations. While Jharkhand claimed to have sterilised 1.89 lakh dogs in just two months, a figure the Court found “astronomically high” given manpower and infrastructure limitations, other states provided vague or incomplete data. Assam reported over 1.66 lakh dog bites in 2024 but operated only one dog control centre.
Senior Advocate Gaurav Agarwal, assisting as amicus curiae, highlighted discrepancies and deficiencies in manpower, ABC centres, and dog pound reporting, revealing systemic shortcomings in state compliance.
The Court strongly criticised states for presenting “all fudged up figures” and relying on “vague statements” that amounted to an “eyewash.” Highlighting Jharkhand’s inflated claims, the bench noted the implausibility of such numbers and expressed “shock” at the lack of proper human resources and infrastructure in most states.
Concluding its observations, the Supreme Court warned, “They will get a proper dressing down,” while reiterating that all previous directives regarding stray dog management must be genuinely implemented.
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