Order Sheet

This is an office reference.

Heard, Mr. Ramakant Mishra, DSGI appearing for the respondents No. 1 and 2, Mr. Praveen Das, learned Additional Advocate General appearing for the respondents No. 3 to 9 and Mr. Dhiraj Kumar Wankhede, learned counsel for the respondents No. 10 and 11.

In compliance of the order of this Court dated 15.06.2026, the Chief Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh, Mantralaya, Mahanadi Bhawwan, Nawa Raipur, district Raipur has filed an affidavit, the contents of which is reproduced hereinunder:-

Digitally signed by VED PRAKASH DEWANGAN Date: 2026.07.21 10:48:42 +0530

2. In the course of proceeding in the captioned matter, the Hon'ble High Court vide order dated 15.06.2026 inter alia directed the Chief Secretary to file affidavit of compliance within 3 weeks.

3. It is most respectfully submitted that, in furtherance of the directions issued by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Suo Motu Writ Petition (Civil) No. 5 of 2025 vide order dated 07.11.2025, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, framed and circulated the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Prevention of Dog Bite Incidents and Management of Stray Dogs in Institutional Premises vide communication dated 28.11.2025 for uniform implementation by all States and Union Territories.

4. Pursuant thereto, the Animal Husbandry Development Department, Government of Chhattisgarh, vide communication bearing No. E-166671 & 153108/LAW-42/1802/2025/1908 dated 03.12.2025, circulated the said SOP to all concerned Departments, including the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, School Education Department, Health and Family Welfare Department, Higher Education and Technical Education Department, Urban Administration and Development Department, the Director, Urban Administration and Development, the Director, Animal Husbandry Department and all Collectors of the State, with specific directions to ensure its strict implementation.

5. It is respectfully submitted that the SOP lays down a comprehensive framework for prevention of dog-bite incidents and scientific management of stray dogs, inter alia including, establishment and maintenance of Animal Birth Control (ABC) Centres and dog shelters with prescribed infrastructure and capacity, humane capture, sterilization, annual anti-rabies vaccination and de-worming of stray dogs in accordance with the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, identification of designated feeding spaces, securing Government and Private educational institutions, hospitals, medical colleges, sports complexes, bus stands, railway stations and other public institutions against the ingress of stray animals through appropriate fencing, boundary walls and gates, appointment of Nodal Officers, proper waste management, creation of public awareness regarding responsible feeding, adoption of stray dogs and prevention of dog-bite incidents, ensuring adequate availability of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Immunoglobulin, and continuous monitoring and reporting of compliance by the District Administration and the concerned Departments.

6. It is further submitted that the respondent-State has taken effective and time-bound steps for implementation of the aforesaid SOP in its true letter and spirit and the various measures undertaken by the State Government, as detailed in the succeeding paragraphs of the present