All Petitions Related to Stray Dogs and Animal Welfare Transferred to Supreme Court: Himachal High Court
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has ordered the transfer of various petitions related to stray dogs and other animals to the Supreme Court. The division bench of Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma issued the order following the Supreme Court’s directive dated August 22, 2025, which called for all High Courts to transfer such matters to the apex court.
The bench observed that the petitions included issues such as feeding stray dogs, setting up safe feeding zones, rabies prevention, and enforcement of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 — all interconnected matters.
One of the petitions before the High Court sought directions to the Shimla Municipal Corporation to ensure public roads are free of stray dogs and to designate specific feeding spots for them. Another PIL (CWPIL 334/2024) demanded 24/7 emergency services in veterinary hospitals and the establishment of at least one animal hospital in each district, ensuring treatment, care, and shelter for animals affected under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
The court stated that since related matters are now pending before the Supreme Court, these petitions are also being transferred. The Registrar General has been instructed to take the necessary steps for the same.
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