The Bombay High Court on Friday suggested that the Maharashtra government “aggressively” implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme for sterilisation, saying stopping the growth of the stray-dog population could resolve the “major problem” of stray dogs in the state.

Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge of the High Court told the state’s lawyer: “Actually, your administration must realise one thing, that if you implement that ABC program, which you call sterilisation programme, aggressively, there will be no growth of dogs (stray).”

“Every dog that is sterilised through the ABC programme cannot procreate. 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 there is no birth of puppies later, then you are nipping the disease in the bud. If you stop the growth, the rest falls in line,” the High Court remarked.

The High Court was hearing a suo motu (on its own) writ petition as per the Supreme Court’s 2025 judgment that dismissed all challenges on the stray dog management.

In its judgment, the Supreme Court noted the growing dog-related attacks and observed that the crisis had reached alarming proportions due to years of poor implementation of the ABC framework. The top court also warned that the state cannot remain a “passive spectator” as citizens face the constant threat of dog attacks and directed respective high courts to initiate suo motu pleas.

Additional Government Pleader O A Chandurkar told the bench, also comprising Justice Gautam A Ankhad, that the state’s compliance includes the ABC programme.

The High Court bench also said that the problems compound with the continuous growth of the stray dogs, adding that the state has to “concentrate” on the ABC programme.

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“Once that is vigorously implemented, there is no further growth of dogs, and then you can tackle the remaining ones. Then you only have to ensure and take care that they do not become rabid. In the first place, you should stop the growth of the dogs. So that one major problem is resolved,” the judge said.

“Then whatever dogs are available, you have to ensure that they are all sterilised and ensure that they do not have rabies. Then feeding and everything becomes easier,” he added, seeking the state’s further compliance.

The matter will be heard on September 11.