As per Articles 243(W), municipalities are mandated to control the stray dog population. Accordingly, municipalities are implementing the Animal Birth Control Programme to regulate the population of stray dogs. To support effective dog population management, the Central Government notified the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, vide G.S.R. 193(E) dated 10th March 2023, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, superseding the earlier ABC (Dog) Rules, 2001. These rules focus on the neutering and anti-rabies vaccination of stray dogs as means of population stabilization.

Further, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, issued an advisory on 11.11.2024 to Chief Secretaries/Administrators of States/UTs, urging the implementation of the ABC Programme and related activities through local bodies. This was aimed at ensuring the safety and security of children, especially toddlers, from stray dog attacks.

Additionally, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has issued several advisories and guidelines to address issues related to stray dogs, including:

• Revised Animal Birth Control Module for Street Dog Population Management, Rabies Eradication, and Reducing Man-Dog Conflict;
• Circular on Pet Dogs and Street Dogs dated 26.02.2015;
• Advisories for rescue and rehabilitation of stray animals dated 12.07.2018 and 27.02.2020;
• Advisory for implementation of the ABC Programme dated 17.12.2021;
• Request to implement and circulate the standard protocol for community animal adoption dated 17.05.2022;
• Guidelines on use of muzzles and care for community dogs dated 17.08.2022; and
• Letter dated 01.10.2024 urging recognized animal welfare organizations to participate in tenders floated by Municipal Corporations/Local Bodies for implementing ABC Rules, 2023.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, handles the human health aspect related to dog bites and rabies. Under the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP), the following initiatives have been undertaken:

• Launch of the National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination;
• Budgetary support to States/UTs under National Rabies Control Program(NRCP);
• Ensuring availability of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Anti-Rabies Serum (ARS) at health facilities;
• Conducting workshops to formulate State Action Plans for rabies elimination;
• Establishment of Model Anti-Rabies Clinics across the states;
• Strengthening rabies diagnostic laboratories;
• Issuance of advisories and communication to States;
• Launch of the "Rabies-Free City" initiative;
• Constitution of National and State-level Committees under NRCP;
• Development of guidelines and resource documents;
• Conduct of training programmes;
• Community awareness campaigns on dog bites and rabies;
• Observance of World Rabies Day;
• Launch of a dedicated NRCP website;
• Establishment of a rabies helpline; and
• Strengthening of rabies surveillance mechanisms.

The Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, notified in supersession of the 2001 Rules, incorporate the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and the Hon’ble Delhi High Court. Rule 20 of the ABC Rules, 2023 addresses the feeding of community animals, assigning responsibility to the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), Apartment Owners’ Associations (AOAs), or Local Bodies, including the formation of Animal Welfare Committees.

On receiving complaints related to feeding of community animals, AWBI writes to the concerned RWAs, AOAs, or Local Bodies for appropriate action. During 2024–25 and up to June 2025, the Board has issued 166 such letters.

There is no provision to penalize RWAs for non-compliance with High Court guidelines.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying conducts a livestock census every five years which also includes enumeration of stray dogs. However, municipalities may carry out their own census annually to determine local numbers as per ABC Rules, 2023

The data on total number of reported dog bite cases and suspected human rabies deaths, is collected from States/UTs under the National Rabies Control Program by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The NCDC has provided the information for 2024, in the table below:

Year	2024
Total Dog Bite Cases	3717336
Total suspected Human Rabies Deaths	54

 

The Department provides financial support under the Assistance to State for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD) component of the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme for procurement of anti-rabies vaccines for animals, including stray dogs. The details of funds approved to States/UTs over the past five years are as follows:

Details of fund approved for procurement of Anti-Rabies vaccine under ASCAD during last five Years (Rs.in lakh)
Years	No. of Doses (in Lakhs)	Total Amt. approved (CS+SS)	Central Share approved
FY 2020-21	25.56	275.28	213.35
FY 2021-22	41.76	281.60	244.46
FY 2022-23	18.44	475.00	338.19
FY 2023-24	64.55	1080.57	716.85
FY 2024-25	80.19	1423.41	956.92
Total	230.5	3535.86	2469.77

 

This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 22nd July, 2025.

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(Release ID: 2146821)