The Maharashtra Government has directed urban local bodies not to release sterilised and vaccinated stray dogs near schools, hospitals, airports and other sensitive public locations, while also mandating the creation of designated feeding zones and complaint helplines.
The guidelines, issued through a Government Resolution (GR) by the Urban Development Department, require municipal corporations, municipal councils and nagar panchayats to strengthen stray dog management measures in line with directions issued by the Supreme Court. Under the new framework, civic bodies have been asked to capture stray dogs for sterilisation, vaccination and deworming, establish shelters for their rehabilitation and identify specific locations where feeding activities can be carried out in a regulated manner.
The GR states that sterilised and vaccinated dogs should not be released in access-controlled or protected areas such as schools, hospitals and airports. Local authorities have also been advised to apply similar restrictions in crowded public places including educational institutions, sports complexes, bus stations, transport depots, interstate bus terminals and railway premises after assessing local conditions and public safety concerns.
According to the guidelines, stray dogs found in such locations should be captured immediately, sterilised and vaccinated before being relocated to designated shelters rather than being released back into the same area. The state government has further instructed civic bodies to establish dedicated helplines for complaints related to stray dogs and to conduct public awareness campaigns on precautions and treatment following dog bite incidents.
To improve implementation of the Animal Birth Control programme, local bodies have been asked to strengthen existing sterilisation and vaccination facilities, create additional infrastructure where necessary and increase the number of centres based on stray dog population, geographical spread and local requirements.
The government has also permitted euthanasia in exceptional circumstances involving rabid, terminally ill or extremely aggressive dogs that pose a serious threat to public safety. However, such action can only be taken after consultation with veterinary experts and in strict accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. The GR further provides legal protection to officials acting in good faith while implementing these provisions.
The directions have been issued following a series of observations and orders passed by the Supreme Court in matters related to stray dog management. The apex court had earlier emphasised that citizens have the right to move freely without fear of dog attacks while balancing animal welfare concerns.
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