Fri Jan 31 04:21:55 UTC 2025: ## Hyderabad Seeks High Court Approval for Euthanasia of Stray Dogs Amidst Rising Attack Numbers
**Hyderabad, Telangana, India – January 31, 2025** – The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has asserted its legal right to euthanize stray dogs in a landmark affidavit submitted to the Telangana High Court. The move comes amidst a sharp increase in dog bite incidents and fatalities in the city.
The affidavit, filed by GHMC Commissioner K. Ilambarithi, cites rising concerns over public safety. Since 2022, 36 deaths and 110,057 dog bites have been reported, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations including children, laborers, and slum dwellers. The commissioner highlighted the inability of citizens to safely use public spaces due to the pervasive stray dog problem.
While acknowledging the GHMC’s efforts in implementing Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs, including sterilization of 123,660 dogs and vaccination of 219,575 since 2020, the affidavit argues that these measures have proven insufficient to curb the escalating problem.
Commissioner Ilambarithi, who holds master’s degrees in veterinary science and public health, invoked exemptions under Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and provisions within the GHMC Act, 1955, to justify euthanasia as a permissible solution. He cited the World Health Organization’s statistics on rabies deaths in India and highlighted similar practices in developed countries like the United Kingdom.
The affidavit was submitted in response to two public interest litigations before the High Court. The GHMC’s actions are likely to spark debate on the ethical and practical implications of controlling stray dog populations in urban environments.
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