Telangana High Court Halts Capture of Sterilized Dogs in Hyderabad, Cites Need for Humane Treatment

Hyderabad, Telangana – The Telangana High Court has issued a significant interim order directing the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to immediately cease the capture of sterilized community dogs. The directive, however, allows for the capture of dogs in specific instances where attacks on citizens are reported.

The order was passed by Hon'ble Sri Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy on November 28, 2025, while hearing a writ petition filed by animal welfare organizations alleging inhumane practices and non-compliance with Supreme Court guidelines by the municipal body.

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Background of the Plea

The writ petition (WP No. 35995 of 2025) was filed by the Association for Animal Shelter and Rescue Aid (AASRA) , represented by its President Gowri Vandana, and animal activist Syed Salim . The petitioners sought the court's intervention to declare the GHMC's inaction on their representations as illegal and to enforce a series of measures for the humane management of community dogs.

The plea alleged that the GHMC was failing to adhere to the Supreme Court's directions from November 7, 2025, concerning the removal of dogs from public areas like educational institutions, hospitals, and transport hubs. The petitioners requested comprehensive directions, including: - Suspension of all capture operations until proper, humane facilities are established. - Creation of designated long-term shelters distinct from Animal Birth Control (ABC) units. - Maintenance of a real-time, public database of all captured, sterilized, and housed animals. - Granting visitation rights to animal caretakers. - Disciplinary action against officials responsible for inhumane practices.

Clash of Arguments in Court

Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Counsel Mr. K. G. Krishna Murthy argued that the GHMC was employing "cruel methods" to capture dogs, in direct violation of Supreme Court guidelines. He submitted that even sterilized dogs were being captured and sent to "unknown centres," highlighting a lack of adequate and proper rehabilitation facilities in Hyderabad.

In response, Mr. G. Madhusudhan Reddy, Standing Counsel for the GHMC , asserted that the corporation was "scrupulously" following the Supreme Court's directions. While requesting time to file a detailed counter, he emphasized the public safety aspect, noting that the GHMC frequently receives complaints regarding dog attacks, particularly on children and senior citizens.

High Court's Interim Order

After hearing the initial arguments, Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy found it necessary to issue an interim directive to balance the welfare of animals with public safety concerns. The court's order explicitly states:

> "Till then, the respondent authorities are directed not to capture sterilized dogs. However, this order shall not come in the way of the respondent authorities in capturing the street dogs as and when specific instances of dog attacks are reported."

Implications and Next Steps

This interim order provides immediate, temporary relief for sterilized community dogs, which are generally considered non-aggressive and crucial for maintaining territorial balance, thereby controlling the influx of new, potentially un-vaccinated dogs. The court's nuanced approach acknowledges the GHMC's duty to protect citizens from harm while holding it accountable for the humane treatment of animals.

The case is scheduled for its next hearing on December 1, 2025 , when the GHMC is expected to present a more detailed response to the allegations. The outcome of the case will be closely watched by animal welfare advocates and municipal bodies across the country, as it addresses the critical challenge of urban animal management.