Calcutta High Court Calls For State's Response On PIL Seeking Mass Vaccination & Sterlisation Of Stray Dogs

The Calcutta High Court has called for the state's response on a plea seeking the city-wide vaccination and sterilisation of stray dogs. The PIL seeks urgent measures to curb the rising stray dog attacks through mass vaccination and sterilisation programs.

A division bench of Justices Sujoy Paul and Smita Das De called for reports from the respective Municipal corporations in the city, within a period of four weeks.

The plea highlights the alarming increase in dog bite cases and rabies-related fatalities, as reported by the Central Government's PIB report, underscoring the need for judicial oversight.

According to the plea, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying's press release dated April 1, 2025, India recorded 37,15,713 dog bite cases in 2024, with 4,29,664 cases in January 2025 alone. Suspected human rabies deaths were 54 in 2024 and 1 in January 2025.

It is stated that in West Bengal, 76,486 dog bite cases were reported in 2024 and 10,264 in January 2025, with one suspected rabies death in 2024.

The PIL demands nationwide anti-rabies vaccination drives, Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs, public awareness campaigns, and stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws to ensure safer communities and humane treatment of strays.

Case: Akash Sharma v State of West Bengal & Ors

Case No: WPA(P) 317 of 2025