The Punjab & Haryana High Court has taken action on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), demanding directives for the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation to ensure prompt and effective implementation of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 (ABC Rules) within Chandigarh.

According to the petition, upon submitting a representation to the Municipal Corporation regarding this matter, the response received was deemed "neither satisfactory" nor reflective of the accurate status of adoption and implementation of the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023. Responding to the plea, a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Nidhi Gupta has served notice to the Municipality in question.

Chandigarh resident Arushi Lamba has submitted a petition drawing attention to the notification of the ABC Rules by the Central Government in March 2023, operating under the ambit of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. These Rules supersede the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules from 2001 and aim to address the guidelines established by the Supreme Court in the case of Animal Welfare Board of India v. People for Elimination of Stray Troubles [2009 SLP (C) 691/09].

Additionally, the petition outlines its objective to offer directives for the sterilization and immunization of stray animals via Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs. According to the submission, these programs are mandated to be conducted by Local Bodies, Municipalities, Municipal Corporations, and Panchayats.Furthermore, the ABC Rules of 2023 dictate that both Animal Birth Control and Anti-Rabies Programs ought to be collaboratively executed by the mentioned government bodies. The plea emphasizes that these initiatives must adhere to specific guidelines aimed at addressing instances of dog bites without resorting to the relocation of the animals.

Reference has been made to Rule 20 of the ABC Rules, which states the responsibility for arranging necessary provisions for the feeding of community animals. This includes establishing feeding spots and shelter homes specifically intended for stray animals residing in that particular area.

The petitioner highlights that upon filing a Right to Information (RTI) request seeking details about the implementation status of the Rule, the response provided by the Municipal Corporation was deemed unsatisfactory and failed to accurately portray the adoption and execution of the Animal Birth Control Rules of 2023 within the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

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

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