Remove stray dogs from tourist spots: High court directs IMC

Indore: The Indore bench of MP High Court has directed Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) to ‘immediately' remove stray dogs from prominent tourist spots, including Chhappan Dukan and Sarafa, on top priority.The court also instructed IMC to submit a comprehensive action report with data on sterilisation of stray dogs, warning that failure to comply satisfactorily might result in personal appearance of Municipal Commissioner.The order was passed on Dec 19 in a public interest litigation filed by Rupesh Sharma, representing Doing Needful Association of Young People Plantation Group of Indore City. The petition originally sought directions to remove livestock, including cattle, sheep, and goats, from city limits to protect greenery, while also raising concerns about stray dogs.The division bench, comprising Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Binod Kumar Dwivedi, observed that the entire city was facing a menace due to stray dogs, with numerous dog bite cases being reported. Counsels for intervenors informed the court about the severity of the situation affecting residents across Indore.The court noted that earlier, on Nov 25, it gave the State 10 days to inform what action the IMC took regarding removal of stray dogs, following a Supreme Court order dated Nov 7, 2025. The apex court order was passed in a suo motu writ petition titled 'City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price'.Senior Counsel Piyush Mathur, appearing as amicus curiae, brought to the court's attention that similar directions were issued earlier in 2014 and 2019 in another case. The 2019 order directed IMC to continue sterilisation of street dogs, ensure free supply of rabies vaccines to dog bite victims, hold periodic meetings every two months with NGOs, and launch public awareness campaigns about birth control of street dogs.The State's counsel informed the court that certain drives were undertaken by IMC regarding both cattle and stray dogs. According to the reply filed, teams are constantly engaged in removing stray cattle from the city, with updated reports forwarded to concerned departments on a quarterly basis.However, the court found it necessary to ensure stricter compliance. In its order, the High Court directed IMC commissioner to hold a meeting of concerned officers by Dec 29 to prepare an action plan. IMC was also asked to identify prominent public places, including tourist spots such as Chhappan Dukan and Sarafa, and conduct drives for the removal of stray dogs on top priority at these locations.Before the next hearing date, the municipal corporation was directed to file an action report containing data on sterilisation of stray dogs. This report must be supported by an affidavit from a senior officer of the corporation.Rishi Kumar, in-charge of Animal Birth Control department, was present in court during the proceedings. The matter has been listed for further hearing on Jan 13, 2026.