Stray Dog Menace issue: Supreme Court disposes of petitions and suggests approaching the High Courts based on the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023

On May 09, 2024 (Thursday), the Supreme Court (SC) of India disposed of a batch of petitions relating to the stray dog issue and suggested approaching the High Courts. The bench constituting Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Jk Maheshwari said “New legislation (Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023) has come, we are putting end to this matter. Go to the constitutional Courts…I think we should leave it open to the Constitutional Courts and the parties….and authorities shall act in accordance with the provisions of the 2023 rules.” Earlier on April 24, 2024, the SC asked the counsels appearing for the states to look into the rules stating that the same could resolve the issues presented before the top court. The bench also said that the issues in the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2001 were resolved with the introduction of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. The new rule stipulates sterilization and vaccination. It also states that local bodies will be responsible in case of street dog-human conflict. While hearing the matter yesterday, the SC reiterated its earlier and said “What we are saying today is that these are arising by the orders by so and so, whereafter, the Ministry…has published the Rules…in terms of the provisions of the Act and the rules, the recourse as permissible may be taken. If any issue arises, that may be raised before the constitutional courts.” Therefore, the SC bench disposed of the petitions stating that the respective High Courts can now decide the stray dog issue based on the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.