Students, animal welfare groups urge govt. to adopt Statewide ABC model for stray dog management

The advocacy by students and animal welfare groups for a Statewide Animal Birth Control (ABC) model for stray dog management in India highlights a critical confluence of public health, animal welfare, and urban governance challenges. This call for a standardized, humane approach reflects a growing awareness of the complex issues surrounding India's large stray dog population.

**Background Context and the Genesis of the Demand:**

India is home to one of the largest stray dog populations globally, estimated to be in the tens of millions. This situation has historically led to significant public health concerns, primarily the widespread prevalence of rabies, a fatal zoonotic disease. India accounts for a substantial portion of global rabies deaths, making it a serious public health priority. Furthermore, dog bites are a common occurrence, leading to injuries, trauma, and significant healthcare expenditure. Traditional methods of stray dog control, such as culling, have proven ineffective and inhumane, often leading to public outcry and ethical dilemmas. This backdrop led to the adoption of the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. These rules legally mandated humane methods of population control through sterilization and vaccination (ABC program) rather than culling. However, implementation has been inconsistent and fragmented, largely left to individual Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), leading to varying degrees of success and continued human-animal conflict.

**What is the Statewide ABC Model and Why It Matters:**

A Statewide ABC model proposes a coordinated, uniform approach across an entire state, rather than the current piecemeal efforts. The core of the ABC program involves catching stray dogs, sterilizing them (surgical removal of reproductive organs), vaccinating them against rabies, and then releasing them back into their original territories. This method aims to reduce the dog population over time by preventing reproduction, while also eradicating rabies through widespread vaccination. A statewide model would ensure consistent funding, standardized protocols, adequate infrastructure, and trained personnel, which are often lacking in smaller, localized initiatives. This shift is crucial for India as it directly impacts public health by working towards the World Health Organization's (WHO) goal of zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030. It also promotes animal welfare by ensuring humane treatment and managing populations ethically.

**Key Stakeholders Involved:**

Several key stakeholders are central to this issue. **Students and Animal Welfare Groups** are the primary advocates, often working on the ground, raising awareness, and conducting rescue and rehabilitation efforts. They bring the ethical and welfare concerns to the forefront. The **Government**, at all levels—central, state, and urban local bodies—is the crucial implementer. Urban Local Bodies (Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, Panchayats) are directly responsible for stray animal management under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution (List II - State List, entries related to public health, sanitation, and local government). State governments would be responsible for formulating and funding the statewide policy, while the Central Government provides overarching legal frameworks (like the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960) and national programs (e.g., National Rabies Control Programme). The **Public** is both affected by and a participant in this issue; their cooperation in responsible pet ownership and reporting of stray dog issues is vital. **Veterinary Professionals** are indispensable for the successful execution of ABC programs, requiring specialized skills for surgeries and vaccinations. Finally, **Community Volunteers** often play a significant role in fostering, feeding, and assisting in the capture-neuter-release process.

**Constitutional and Legal Framework:**

The legal basis for animal welfare and management in India is primarily the **Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960**. This Act aims to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals. Under this Act, the **Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001** were formulated, later superseded by the **Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023**. These rules provide the operational framework for ABC programs, emphasizing sterilization and immunization as the only acceptable method for stray dog population control. Constitutionally, the issue touches upon several articles: **Article 48A** of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) mandates the State to 'endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.' While not directly about stray dogs, it sets a broad environmental and welfare directive. More directly, **Article 51A(g)**, a Fundamental Duty, states that it is the duty of every citizen 'to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.' This article underscores the moral and civic responsibility towards animal welfare. Furthermore, public health and sanitation, under which stray dog management falls, are subjects primarily dealt with by local self-governments under the State List (Entry 6 and 5) of the Seventh Schedule.

**Future Implications and Challenges:**

The adoption of a statewide ABC model could have profound future implications. It promises a significant reduction in rabies cases and dog bites, leading to a healthier and safer environment for citizens. It would also lead to a more stable and healthier stray dog population, reducing human-animal conflict. Economically, it could reduce healthcare costs associated with dog bites and rabies treatment. However, significant challenges remain. These include securing consistent funding, establishing adequate veterinary infrastructure and training facilities, ensuring political will across diverse administrative units, and fostering community participation and responsible pet ownership. The model's success hinges on rigorous implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. A successful statewide model could serve as a blueprint for managing other urban animal populations and reinforce India's commitment to humane and scientifically sound animal management practices, aligning with global standards for public health and animal welfare.