Gujarat Admits Gaps in Stray Dog Sterilisation Data Before High Court; Several Districts Lack ABC Centres

Government has submitted figures for only 17 of 34 districts; High Court seeks details of vaccination, manufacturers and possible side effects

The Gujarat government has admitted before the Gujarat High Court that several districts lack Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres, leaving gaps in district-wise data on stray dog sterilisation and vaccination.

During a hearing on October 28, the government submitted an affidavit in response to directions concerning measures taken to control stray dogs and cattle. The High Court sought details of sterilisation and vaccination drives, the vaccines being administered and the arrangements in place to manage the stray dog population.

The court proceedings follow a Supreme Court directive requiring periodic data on the measures taken by state authorities. The High Court has asked the government to provide the remaining district-wise information, with the next hearing scheduled for next week.

Sterilisation Data Available for Only 17 Districts

Advocate Medha Jani, appearing for the petitioner, told the court that information supplied by municipal authorities on dog sterilisation and vaccination had been presented before it.

However, the government had submitted data covering only 17 of Gujarat's 34 districts for the preceding six months. Figures for the remaining 17 districts were not available in the submission.

The petitioner argued that the government should also explain the mechanism used to control the stray dog population, rather than limiting its response to sterilisation and vaccination figures.

The court also sought details of the vaccines administered, their manufacturers and whether they could cause adverse side effects.

Government Cites Lack of ABC Centres

Explaining the gaps, the government said some districts did not have Animal Birth Control centres, making it difficult to compile district-wise sterilisation data.

The government cited Vadodara as an example, stating that the city had substantial infrastructure for sterilisation and that dogs from surrounding districts had been taken there for the procedures.

As a result, some districts recorded zero sterilisation despite dogs from those areas having undergone the procedure elsewhere, the government explained.

The High Court questioned whether the state intended to present zero figures for certain districts before the Supreme Court when sterilisation had, according to the government, been carried out across the state.

Inspections Conducted at 79,150 Institutions

The government also told the court that inspections had been conducted at 79,150 offices and institutions across Gujarat in compliance with the Supreme Court's directions.

The locations included schools, Anganwadis, hospitals, bus depots and Gram Panchayat offices. The government said sterilisation-related measures had been undertaken and that six to seven additional nodal officers had been appointed to oversee the work.

According to the government's submission, regular inspections were being carried out and the stray dog population had not increased following vaccination and sterilisation drives. It also stated that 114 educational institutions had been made completely free of dogs.

These claims formed part of the government's affidavit and submission before the court.

More Time Sought to Submit District-Wise Figures

The government sought additional time to compile and submit the missing information for individual districts.

The High Court issued directions to the state government and scheduled the next hearing for next week. The proceedings are expected to focus on the outstanding data and the arrangements for monitoring sterilisation and vaccination programmes across Gujarat.