The Centre recently directed local bodies to ensure only recognized organizations carry out the animal birth control programme for stray dogs as per the recently notified rules.
The Municipal Corporations need to implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme and Anti Rabies Programme jointly, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying said in a release.
The Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, were issued following the guidelines of the Supreme Court in a case between the Animal Welfare Board of India and People for Elimination of Stray Troubles, it said.
The Municipal Corporations need to implement the ABC and Anti Rabies Program jointly. The Rules also provide guidelines on how to deal with human and stray dog conflicts without relocating the dogs in an area.
One of the requirements under the Rule is that the Animal Birth Control Programme needs to be carried out by an AWBI-recognized organization specifically recognized for the Animal Birth Control programme.
The list of such Organizations will be made available on the website, and the Board will also update the list regularly from time to time. Also, the Cruelty involved in carrying out of ABC programme needs to be addressed.
Hence, the Central Government has already issued letters to all the State Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries of the Animal Husbandry Department, and Urban Development Department.
By effective implementation of these Rules, the Animal Birth Control programme can be conducted by the local bodies that will help in reducing the stray dog population while addressing the animal welfare issues, it added.