Stray dog PIL: 13 Gujarat dists have no ABC centres

The Gujarat High Court flagged 13 districts for lacking Animal Birth Control centres for stray dogs, exposing gaps in stray dog control according to Urban Acres and DeshGujarat. A petition filed by an animal welfare NGO alleged that the lack of ABC centres violates the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. The Gujarat State Animal Birth Control Department has not yet set up centres in these districts. The Gujarat High Court has scheduled a hearing and will order the state to establish ABC centres within 90 days. The court stated, “The state must comply with the rules to protect public health and animal welfare.” The court will examine the petition and decide on enforcement measures. This case shows gaps in the implementation of animal welfare laws across Gujarat.

This is part of the Supreme Court stray dogs case: see what every state has done in our tracker.

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The Times of India

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From the Library

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Vineeta Srinandan v. High Court of Bombay (2025 INSC 1408)
The Supreme Court of India is reviewing a case involving Vineeta Srinandan and the High Court of Judicature at Bombay, focusing on the validity of the High Court's judgment regarding an apology refusal. The case arose from a challenge to the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 by Seawoods Estates Ltd., which included an intervention application concerning the actions of Srinandan, a former director. The proceedings took place on 10 Dec 2025.
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The Supreme Court of India issued a judgment regarding stray dogs on 22 Aug 2025, modifying its order of 11 Aug 2025. In Suo Motu Writ Petition (Civil) No. 5 of 2025, widened to all States and Union Territories, the court directed that stray dogs picked up in Delhi and the National Capital Region must be sterilised, dewormed, vaccinated and released back to the same area. Dogs with rabies, suspected rabies or aggressive behaviour must not be released and are kept in a separate shelter. Municipal bodies must create dedicated feeding spaces in each ward, and feeding stray dogs on the streets is not permitted. Each dog lover and NGO that approached the court was told to deposit Rs 25,000 and Rs 2,00,000 to be heard further.

Stray dog PIL: 13 Gujarat dists have no ABC centres

Sources

More in Animal Birth Control

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From the Library

Stray dog orders and ABC Rules: AWBI compliance circular

Vineeta Srinandan v. High Court of Bombay (2025 INSC 1408)

Supreme Court judgment of 22 Aug 2025 on community dogs (2025 INSC 1018)