High Court Seeks Response From Chandigarh Municipal Corporation In PIL For Effective Implementation Of Animal Birth Control Rules

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has issued notice on a PIL seeking directions to Chandigarh Municipal Corporation to take adequate and appropriate steps regarding effective and expeditious implementation of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 (ABC Rules) in Chandigarh.  

The petition states that on filing a representation in this regard before the Municipal Corporation, "neither satisfactory" nor true picture of the adoption and implementation of the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023 was provided.

Considering the plea, a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Nidhi Gupta issued notice to the Municipality.

Arushi Lamba a resident of Chandigarh, has filed the petition highlighting that ABC Rules have been notified by the Central Government in March 2023, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The Rule supersede the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001, and address the 2009 guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in Animal Welfare Board of India v. People for Elimination of Stray Troubles, [2009 SLP (C) 691/09] .

It further states that it aims to provide guidelines for the sterilisation and immunisation of stray animals through Animal Birth Control (ABC) programmes. These programmes must be conducted by the Local Bodies, Municipalities, Municipal Corporation and Panchayats, she submits.

Moreover, the ABC Rules, 2023 provided that the Animal Birth Control and the Anti-Rabies Programmes should be carried out jointly by the mentioned Government bodies while focusing on guidelines to resolve dog bites without relocation of the animals, the plea adds.

Rule 20 of the ABC Rule has also been referred to state that, it accredits the responsibility of making necessary arrangements for feedings of community animals "especially making provisions for feeding spots and shelter homes for stay animals residing in that area."

The petitioner states that on filing the RTI seeking information regarding the status of the implementation of the Rule, the response submitted by Municipal Corporation "was neither satisfactory nor depicted a true picture of the adoption and implementation of the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023 in U.T. Chandigarh."

The matter is further posted for January 25, for further consideration.

Case Title: Arushi Lamba v. Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh & anr.

Appearance: Advocate Arushi Lamba 

Click here to download/read the order