The Allahabad High Court has directed the Municipal Commissioners of Lucknow and Prayagraj to identify areas reporting repeated dog-bite incidents and take appropriate action against aggressive dogs. The directions were issued by a division bench of Justice Ajit Kumar and Justice Garima Prashad on October 1, 2026.
The Court noted that administrative affidavits had described various measures, but their actual implementation required examination. The authorities must analyse dog-bite cases, municipal complaints and veterinary records from the preceding three years to identify affected locations.
They must also inspect at least 30 additional public locations, including hospitals, schools, railway stations, markets and parks, within one month.
The order requires veterinary and municipal teams to identify dogs associated with repeated attacks and document the action taken. Such dogs must be handled humanely and taken to appropriate facilities for examination, treatment, sterilisation and vaccination, as required. Dogs suspected of rabies must be assessed and managed separately.
The Court also directed the Lucknow Municipal Commissioner to explain the functioning and verified results of the “Lucknow model” and the role of the Jarhara training facility. All measures must comply with the Supreme Court’s directions and the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.
Both Municipal Commissioners must submit compliance affidavits before the next hearing on November 5, 2026.
