Keralam govt approves SOP for euthanasia of rabid, incurably ill stray dogs

The Keralam government has approved standard operating procedures (SOP) for mercy killing of rabid, incurably ill or demonstrably dangerous stray dogs. The SOP, approved recently, relies on the Supreme Court’s Order in May this year allowing euthanasia in such cases.

A stray dog management committee, which will be formed in every local body, will bear the responsibility of deciding whether mercy killing has to be done in a particular case.

As per the relevant portions of the Supreme Court judgment on May 19, 2026, “In areas where the population of stray dogs has assumed alarming proportions and where incidents of dog bites or aggressive attacks have become frequent and pose a continuing threat to public safety, the authorities concerned may, subject to due assessment by qualified veterinary experts and strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 and other applicable statutory protocols, take such measures as may be legally permissible, including euthanasia, in cases involving rabid, incurably ill or demonstrably aggressive dogs, so as to effectively curb the threat posed to human life and safety.”

The stray dog management committee, which will have the local body chairperson as its head and the secretary as the convener, will include the respective ward councillor, veterinary officer and medical officer of the local body, Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre project-in-charge officer and a representative of the Animal Welfare Board.

Procedure norms

The procedure for mercy killing should be carried out by a qualified veterinary surgeon. Only sodium pentobarbital or thiopental sodium should be administered intravenously. Other chemicals or methods which could cause pain should not be used. All local bodies will have to maintain a separate register to record cases of euthanasia of stray dogs. The register will have the information about each such dog, including the area from which it was caught, photographs and the exact reasons for deciding on euthanasia.

The dogs which are caught for euthanasia have to be kept for two-three days in the local body’s isolation kennels or an ABC centre. During this period, approved agencies or animal lovers who are willing to take care of the dog can claim responsibility for the dog. The mercy killing should not be carried out in the presence of other dogs.

The SOP cites the apex court ruling regarding legal protection for the officers who are carrying out the act. As pet the ruling, the officials are “entitled to due protection for acts performed by them in good faith and in bona fide discharge of their official duties and compliances carried out pursuant to the present order and the earlier orders passed by the Court.. Accordingly, no First Information Report, criminal complaint or coercive proceedings should be initiated against such officials” .

The State-level ABC Implementation and Monitoring Committee will carry out the auditing of mercy killing of stray dogs in local bodies.