The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Tuesday said it would consider directing the Tamil Nadu government to implement in the state the Supreme Court’s recent order on managing stray dogs in Delhi.
A Bench was hearing and disposing of a batch of petitions relating to stray animals – one concerning stray cattle, another on street dogs in general, and a third on the alleged menace of dogs inside a temple, where devotees were reportedly bitten, causing injuries and fears of rabies.
During the proceedings, petitioners submitted figures claiming that Tamil Nadu had already recorded 3.67 lakh dog bites and 20 deaths from dog-bite-related rabies so far this year. The judges said they would issue combined formal orders after studying the Supreme Court’s detailed guidelines.
The prospect of such a directive has drawn mixed reactions. Animal welfare activists raised concerns over the state’s lack of infrastructure, manpower, and veterinary expertise to manage a large street dog population. “Dogs have equal rights to live in this world,” one activist said, warning that a poorly implemented crackdown could leave thousands of dogs neglected or starving. They urged the court to ensure rigorous enforcement of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, which focuses on sterilisation and vaccination as humane measures.
In contrast, several residents and civic activists welcomed the possible move, arguing that public safety must take precedence. “Lives should not be lost to dog bites in this day and age,” one petitioner said, pointing to the absence of coordinated rabies control measures in parts of the state.
The court’s reference to the Supreme Court’s Delhi order indicates that Tamil Nadu could soon see new, court-mandated protocols for street dog management. Such measures could include defining municipal responsibilities, intensifying sterilisation drives, improving shelter facilities, and running public awareness campaigns.
The Bench is expected to issue its final directions after reviewing the Supreme Court’s ruling, potentially paving the way for a state-wide policy balancing public safety with animal welfare.
(With inputs from NDTV)
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.