Mumbai, April 20: THE Bombay High Court is contemplating to constitute a committee to solve the problem of stray dogs in Mumbai, as required by the rules made under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960.

The full bench comprising of Justice S Radhakrishnan, justice D B Bhosale and justice V K Tahilramani would pass the directions to this effect to the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) next week.

The proposed monitoring committee, which will include the municipal commissioner, a veterinary doctor, a representative of Society for Prevention of Cruelty of Animals and two representatives of animal welfare NGOs, will be responsible for every aspect of management of stray dogs.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by NGO In Defence of Animals on the issue of stray dogs. During the hearing Solicitor General of India Goolam Vahanvati pointed out that rules made under PCA in 2001 require formation of such a committee. The committee will have power to issue orders regarding sterilization, sheltering, vaccination, killing of terminally ill animals, etc. Also, it will commission a survey of stray dogs and take necessary steps for monitoring the dog bite cases and take measures accordingly.

The court said that there could be six sub-committees in Mumbai and the main committee will report to the High Court every two months.