Madhya Pradesh High Court Issues Directive for Comprehensive Action Plan to Remove Stray Dogs and Livestock from City Limits
In a significant ruling aimed at addressing public safety and environmental concerns, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the Indore Municipal Corporation to implement a comprehensive action plan for the removal of stray dogs and livestock within city limits. The judgment, delivered on December 19, 2025, by a bench comprising Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Binod Kumar Dwivedi, underscores the need for compliance with previous orders from both the Supreme Court and the High Court.
The case, titled "Doing Needful A Association of Yong People Plantation Group of Indore City v. State of Madhya Pradesh," was initiated as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking urgent intervention to protect urban greenery and enhance public safety. The petitioner highlighted the burgeoning issues posed by stray animals, particularly dogs, and livestock like cattle, sheep, and goats, which have become a nuisance in the city.
The High Court's directive mandates the Indore Municipal Corporation to conduct regular meetings with NGOs, veterinary officials, and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the action plan. Furthermore, the corporation is tasked with conducting public awareness campaigns focusing on street dog sterilization and anti-rabies vaccination.
Key aspects of the judgment include:
- Sterilization and Vaccination: The court has ordered the municipal corporation to continue with the sterilization of street dogs and ensure that rabies vaccines are readily available for dog bite cases. This measure is aimed at safeguarding public health and controlling the stray dog population.
- Periodic Meetings: The directive emphasizes the importance of periodic meetings involving various stakeholders to address the stray animal issue effectively. These meetings will serve as a platform for sharing insights and developing innovative solutions.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: The corporation is instructed to launch campaigns to educate the public about street dog birth control and anti-rabies vaccination, thereby promoting community involvement in addressing the stray dog menace.
- Action Plan and Priority Areas: The municipal authorities are required to identify prominent public places, including tourist hotspots like Chhappan Dukan and Sarafa, and prioritize the removal of stray dogs from these areas. The High Court has stressed that these efforts should be conducted on a top-priority basis.
The High Court has further ordered the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation to prepare an action plan and convene a meeting with concerned officers within ten days. The corporation is expected to submit an action report, supported by affidavits from senior officers, detailing the sterilization efforts and removal operations conducted.
Failure to present a satisfactory action report may result in the court directing the personal appearance of the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Indore, highlighting the seriousness with which the court views the issue.
The judgment also references compliance with directions from a previous Supreme Court order dated November 7, 2025, emphasizing the national importance of tackling stray animal issues.
This ruling is expected to bring about a significant change in how stray animals are managed in Indore, with potential implications for other cities facing similar challenges.
Bottom Line:
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) - Direction sought for removal of livestock and stray dogs from city limits to protect greenery and public safety. Compliance with previous orders of the Supreme Court and High Court emphasized.
Statutory provision(s): Public Interest Litigation (PIL) provisions, Animal Welfare laws, Rabies Prevention directives, Municipal Corporation regulations.
