No More Release Of Stray Dogs At Public Places, State Tells NMC | Nagpur News

NMC had earlier identified 1,882 dogs at 228 schools, hospitals and transport hubs during surveyNagpur: The Maharashtra govt has directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) not to release stray dogs captured from schools, hospitals, bus depots, railway stations and other crowded public places back at the same locations after sterilisation and vaccination.Issued through a Govt Resolution (GR) on July 8, the directive makes the Supreme Court’s interim orders on stray dog management binding on all urban local bodies. It marks a significant shift from the existing Animal Birth Control (ABC) protocol, under which sterilised and vaccinated dogs were typically released where they were captured.NMC had earlier surveyed 2,493 public institutions and identified 1,882 stray dogs across 228 schools, hospitals, transport hubs and other public places.The GR directs the civic body to immediately capture stray dogs from schools, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands, inter-state bus terminals, railway premises and other crowded locations, sterilise and vaccinate them, and relocate them to designated shelters instead of releasing them back. It also authorises NMC to extend the exercise to other crowded areas based on local conditions and public safety requirements.The state has asked NMC to strengthen its Animal Birth Control programme by expanding sterilisation and vaccination facilities, creating additional shelters, and augmenting veterinary infrastructure and trained manpower.The GR also mandates dedicated helplines for stray dog complaints, designated feeding zones, public awareness campaigns on dog-bite treatment, and adequate stocks of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin at civic health facilities.It reiterates that euthanasia may be considered only for rabid, terminally ill or dangerously aggressive dogs, strictly in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.The govt has warned that failure to implement the Supreme Court’s directions could invite legal action, including contempt proceedings against defaulting officials. At the same time, officials acting in good faith have been granted legal protection.INFOBOXSTATE GR ON STRAY DOG MANAGEMENTIssued on: July 8, 2026Applies to: All municipal corporations, municipal councils and nagar panchayatsKey directive: Stray dogs picked up from schools, hospitals, bus depots, railway stations and other crowded public places must not be released back at the same location after sterilisation and vaccinationNMC survey: 2,493 public institutions surveyedDogs identified: 1,882 stray dogs at 228 public institutionsMandatory measures: Expand shelters and ABC centres, strengthen sterilisation and vaccination facilities, set up complaint helplines, earmark feeding zones, ensure anti-rabies vaccine availabilityWarning: Non-compliance with Supreme Court directions could invite contempt proceedings against responsible officials