Rs 33.25 lakh deposited by intervenors as Supreme Court reviews states’ disclosures on stray dog management

The Indian Express reviewed affidavits filed by 33 of the 36 states and union territories that were submitted to the SC. Of these, the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, citing its geographic isolation, and the State of Manipur, based on the 20th Livestock Census 2019 and subsequent surveys, told the Court that they have zero stray dog populations.

Uttar Pradesh reported the largest consolidated action, listing 5,32,687 dogs caught, sterilised, dewormed and vaccinated across 630 urban local bodies (ULBs) over the last five years. Similarly, Madhya Pradesh stated that 3,65,422 sterilisations were conducted over the last five years.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) reported 54,623 stray dogs sterilised and immunised between April and September 2025. The MCD confirmed operating 20 ABC Centres across the city and laid plans for a permanent shelter in Dwarka with a capacity for 1,000–1,500 aggressive or rabid dogs. It also plans to procure International Organization for Standardization-approved injectable microchips during sterilisation for traceability and accountability.

Assam reported that 24,067 stray dogs have been sterilised and nearly 30,000 vaccinated by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation through a partnership with the NGO Just Be Friendly (JBF). The state lists four operational dog pounds, 12 dog catchers, and four specially modified vehicles. Across the state’s 101 municipal boards, however, most reported no pounds, vehicles or veterinarians, showing a concentration of resources in larger cities. Assam has also identified feeding zones in all urban bodies and announced plans for a State Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination by 2030.

Similarly, while Rajasthan, in its affidavit, reported vaccinating and sterilising 58,210 dogs, many individual municipal councils primarily relied on simple directions to the medical department and disseminating “public awareness,”

Bihar’s affidavit stated it is implementing the ABC Rules through local bodies, and that its animal husbandry department is developing infrastructure for sterilisation and vaccination. Its affidavit refers to ongoing work to pick up and relocate strays into designated shelters, but does not include specific data on sterilisation or vaccination. It also reported limited infrastructure, including only 40 identified dedicated feeding places.

Telangana’s affidavit stated it had created 23 municipal-level sterilisation centres and that the programme was integrated with rabies vaccination and anti-cruelty drives. West Bengal cited its district-level animal welfare committees and said sterilisation and vaccination programmes were underway in all 23 districts, with plans to expand under a state-wide ABC strategy.

Kerala reported steady progress through its district-level animal birth control committees, citing collaboration between municipal bodies and veterinary colleges. Goa described ongoing sterilisation under its long-running stray control scheme managed by the Goa State Animal Welfare Board.

In the affidavits, all states and union territories confirm the formation of the mandated State Animal Birth Control Committee under Rule 9(3) of the ABC Rules. However, the affidavits show that a bulk of sterilisation and vaccination work is centred in large municipal corporations. Smaller towns and panchayats often have limited or no dedicated infrastructure. The affidavits also indicate a crucial gap in veterinary manpower, with states relying on NGO or private veterinary support.

Some states, such as Assam and Telangana, outlined public awareness campaigns on rabies prevention and responsible feeding, while others mentioned coordination between health, local body and animal welfare departments under a “One Health” framework.

With all affidavits now before it, the Supreme Court is expected to examine them to assess compliance with the ABC Rules and its earlier directions.