Mumbai: Flagging the growing population of stray dogs, Bombay high court on Friday asked the state govt to “aggressively” implement the animal birth control (ABC) programme.“Instead of trying to catch hold of the growing number of dogs, you have to catch hold of the adult dogs so that it is ensured that they are sterilised… If you stop the growth, the rest falls in line,” said Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam.The court was hearing a suo motu petition following Supreme Court’s May 19 judgement where it refused the pleas of animal lovers and rights groups to stay its order for removal of stray dogs from public institutions including hospitals, schools and colleges. SC had directed HCs to register a suo motu case to monitor the implementation of its order by state and union territory govts and ensure compliance within their jurisdiction.The judges said the state administration must realise that if it implements the ABC programme “aggressively”, there will be no growth of stray dog population. If every dog is sterilised through the programme, there will be no procreation. The judges emphasised the need to catch hold of adult dogs for sterilisation. “If there is no birth of puppies later, then you are nipping the disease in the bud. Otherwise… you will start trying to find out what is to be done about stray dogs, anti-rabies, this, that,” said Justice Ghuge.The judges pointed out that if the population growth of dogs is stopped, then other tasks become easy. “But if the population is growing, then your problems are growing. You have to basically concentrate on the ABC programme. Once that is vigorously implemented, there is no further growth of dogs,” said Justice Ghuge. The judges said in the first place, the state should stop the growth of the stray dog population, “so that one major problem is resolved.”The state’s advocate O A Chandurkar said the state’s affidavit mentions the ABC programme. The judges granted him time to place on record a further compliance affidavit and adjourned the hearing to Sept 11.
