The Kerala government has approved a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the euthanasia of aggressive and diseased stray dogs, aimed at addressing administrative confusion and public safety concerns related to stray dog control in the state.

The SOP, submitted by the Principal Director of the Local Self-Government Department, seeks to ensure uniformity in the legal and administrative procedures followed by local self-government institutions. The Principal Director has been tasked with ensuring compliance with the SOP across the state.

The guidelines require all actions to comply with Section 438 of the Kerala Municipality Act, 1994, the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, and relevant provisions of the Supreme Court judgment dated May 19, 2026.

Only stray dogs falling into specified categories can be considered for euthanasia. These include dogs suffering from incurable and painful fatal diseases, those with fatal injuries and no medically viable chance of survival, dogs confirmed to have rabies or showing strong symptoms of the disease, and dogs displaying violent or ferocious behaviour that poses an immediate and serious threat to public safety, including unprovoked attacks on humans or multiple animals.

The SOP also provides for the formation of Stray Dog Management Committees (SDMCs) at the local self-government level. The committees will oversee stray dog control and management, euthanasia and local-level auditing. They will be headed by the local body chief, with the secretary as convenor, and will include the concerned ward councillor, veterinary officer, ABC centre project-in-charge officer, medical officer and a representative of the State Animal Welfare Board. Five members of the seven-member committee will constitute the quorum, with decisions taken by a majority of those present.

Euthanasia can be carried out only on the basis of a written recommendation from the committee and by a qualified veterinary surgeon. The SOP permits only intravenous administration of sodium pentobarbital or thiopental sodium for the procedure and prohibits other chemicals or mechanical methods that cause pain.

Local self-government institutions must maintain a separate register for euthanasia cases, recording details such as the location where each dog was captured, its photograph or identification tag and the reason for euthanasia. Aggressive dogs must be sedated before being transported. Dogs identified for euthanasia must be kept under observation for two to three days at an isolation kennel, ABC centre or shelter, during which recognised animal welfare organisations, agencies or individuals may take them over.

Details of dogs captured for euthanasia must also be made publicly available through the local body’s notice board or another appropriate mechanism. Euthanasia cannot be carried out in the presence or sight of other dogs. A veterinary surgeon must confirm the animal’s death before disposal, while the veterinarian and committee members present must sign the euthanasia register after each procedure.

The government order also provides protection to officials implementing the Supreme Court’s directions in good faith and as part of their official duties. Accordingly, FIRs, criminal complaints or coercive proceedings should ordinarily not be initiated against such officials for bona fide actions, unless there is a prima facie case of mala fide conduct, gross abuse of authority or action contrary to the court’s directions.

The cost of euthanasia will be borne by the respective local self-government institutions. The State ABC Implementation and Monitoring Committee will conduct a mandatory monthly audit of euthanasia records maintained by all local self-government institutions.