Chhattisgarh High Court To Monitor Statewide Implementation Of SOP To Prevent Dog-Bite Incidents, Manage Stray Dogs

The Chhattisgarh High Court has directed continued monitoring of the implementation of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the prevention of dog-bite incidents and management of stray dogs, observing that effective compliance across all districts is necessary to safeguard public safety. The Court observed that the steps reflected in the affidavit indicate that substantial steps have been initiated by the State Government. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal was dealing with a suo motu public interest litigation concerning compliance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court relating to prevention of dog-bite incidents and scientific management of stray animals. Pursuant to an earlier direction of the High Court, the Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh filed a detailed affidavit setting out the measures taken by the State for implementation of the Standard Operating Procedure framed by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) following the Supreme Court's directions.The affidavit stated that the SOP had been circulated to all concerned departments and district authorities for strict implementation. It envisages establishment of Animal Birth Control (ABC) Centres and dog shelters, sterilisation, annual anti-rabies vaccination and deworming of stray dogs, among other measures. These measures were stated to have been adopted in compliance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court. The State further informed the Court that it had sanctioned approximately ₹33.98 crore for implementation of the Animal Birth Control Programme. It disclosed that 34 Animal Birth Control Centres were operational across the State, with an ABC Centre under construction in the remaining district, while 199 dog shelters with a cumulative capacity of 4,340 dogs had been established. A significant feature of the compliance report was the identification of 51,160 Government and private institutions, including schools, colleges, hospitals, stadiums, bus stands and railway stations, for implementation of protective measures. Of these, notice boards and nodal officers had already been put in place in 49,458 institutions. The State also informed the Court that 1,424 officers had been appointed to inspect institutions and ensure compliance with the Supreme Court's directions.After considering the affidavit, the High Court observed that the State had placed on record substantial measures towards implementation of the Supreme Court's directions and the AWBI SOP. However, noting that the issue directly concerns public safety and scientific management of stray animals, the Court held that implementation must continue to be monitored. Accordingly, the Court directed the Chief Secretary to oversee compliance by all departments, local bodies and district administrations, ensure adherence to the SOP and the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, and file a fresh affidavit indicating district-wise progress, including details of sterilisation, vaccination, functioning of ABC Centres and shelters, and compliance across the State.Case Title: In Re Compliance With The Directions v. Union of India [WPPIL No. 34 of 2026]Click Here To Read/Download Order

Chhattisgarh High Court To Monitor Statewide Implementation Of SOP To Prevent Dog-Bite Incidents, Manage Stray Dogs

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Chhattisgarh High Court To Monitor Statewide Implementation Of SOP To Prevent Dog-Bite Incidents, Manage Stray Dogs

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