Chennai: Madras high court on Thursday gave a final opportunity to the authorities to file a status report on the steps taken to prevent stray dog menace across the state as directed by Supreme Court.The first bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan said the apex court fixed deadlines, and they cannot be extended by HC.The bench adjourned the hearing for two weeks. As per the order passed by a three-judge bench of Supreme Court, dogs caught for sterilization at places such as educational institutions, hospitals, bus stands, and railway stations should not be released back in the same areas; they should instead be shifted to designated care centers.The bench directed the govt to establish adequate animal birth control centres in all districts, appoint sufficient numbers of veterinary doctors and staff at vaccination centers, and remove stray dogs from public places.When the case came up for hearing on Thursday, Union govt sought additional time to file a consolidated report based on the reports from the state govt.
