Maharashtra directs civic bodies not to release stray dogs near schools, hospitals and airports

Maharashtra has directed urban local bodies not to release sterilised and vaccinated stray dogs near schools hospitals and airports and asked them to earmark designated feeding zones and establish helplines for complaints according to a Government Resolution GRThe GR also suggested that rabid terminally ill or extremely aggressive dogs may be euthanised after consultation with veterinary experts and in compliance with the law also offering legal protection to officials in genuine casesAs per the GR issued by the Urban Development Department civic bodies must capture stray dogs for sterilisation vaccination and deworming create shelters for them and identify specific places where they can be fed as cited by PTIThe circular was issued in compliance with directions passed by the Supreme Court from time to time in its suo motu proceedings on the stray dog matter Following the directive all municipal corporations municipal councils and nagar panchayats must strictly implement the courts directions without any relaxationSupreme Courtrsquos decision over relocation and sterilisation of stray dogsEarlier last year the Supreme Court had passed an order over the relocation and sterilisation of stray dogs stressing that the right to live with dignity includes the right to move freely without the fear of dog attacks triggering sharp reactions from a section of animal lovers In May this year it dismissed petitions urging it to recall the orderFurthermore the Maharashtra government has also directed every urban local body in the state to set up a helpline to receive complaints related to stray dogs and undertake largescale public awareness campaigns on treatment and preventive measures following dog bitesThe GR issued by the Maharashtra Government also highlighted ldquoUnder the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023 the government said sterilised and vaccinated stray dogs must not be released in protected and accesscontrolled places such as schools hospitals and airportsrdquoldquoIt further directed civic bodies to assess local conditions and public safety and extend similar measures to other crowded public places including educational institutions sports complexes bus stands and depots interstate bus terminals and railway station premisesrdquo the GR also notedStray dogs found in such locations should be immediately captured sterilised and vaccinated before being shifted to established shelters and they should not be released back at the same locations it said directing officials to earmark designated feeding zonesTo improve implementation of the Animal Birth Control programme the government has asked civic bodies to strengthen existing sterilisation and vaccination centres create additional institutional infrastructure wherever required and enhance their capacityIt also directed local bodies to increase the number of sterilisation centres based on the stray dog population density and geographical spread while ensuring adequate veterinary infrastructure surgical facilities trained personnel and supporting arrangementsThe government said that in areas where stray dog numbers have reached alarming levels or where repeated bite incidents and aggressive attacks have posed a threat to public safety rabid terminally ill or extremely aggressive dogs may be euthanised after consultation with veterinary expertsIt clarified that such action must strictly comply with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023With inputs from PTI