`Stray dogs unlawfully confined’: Animal rights group moves Telangana HC, flags violations
The plea seeks urgent judicial intervention against what it described as widespread illegal practices by municipal authorities and ABC centres
By - Newsmeter Network
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Hyderabad: An animal rights group has moved the Telangana High Court, expressing serious concern over alleged violation of animal welfare laws and Supreme Court directions.
NGO flags violations of animal welfare laws
The petition was filed by Adulapuram Gowtham, manager of the Stray Animal Foundation of India, an NGO based in Malkapur of Karimnagar district.
The plea seeks urgent judicial intervention against what it described as widespread illegal practices by municipal authorities and ABC centres.
According to the petitioner, stray dogs are being arbitrarily branded as “aggressive” and unlawfully confined, without any scientific assessment or legal justification.
Supreme Court directions allegedly ignored
The petition alleges violations of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2023. It further contends that authorities have failed to comply with directions issued by the Supreme Court of India on August 22, 2025, which mandate the release of healthy and non-rabid dogs to their original locations after sterilisation.
The continued detention of such dogs, the plea argues, amounts to unlawful confinement and cruelty.
The matter was heard by Justice Bollam Vijaysen Reddy.
GHMC seeks time to respond
Appearing for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, standing counsel G. Madhusudan Reddy sought time to obtain instructions from the concerned officials. The Court directed the respondent authorities to clarify their stand on the allegations raised in the petition.
Relief sought
The NGO has sought a declaration that the detention of stray dogs in ABC centres without scientific or behavioural assessment is illegal. It has also sought directions for the strict enforcement of the ABC Rules, including the adoption of recognised protocols to identify genuinely aggressive dogs.
Next hearing on January 6
The High Court adjourned the matter to January 6, 2026, for the next hearing.
