Why in News?

• The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has recently issued the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. These Rules supersede the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001, and are issued under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960.

Highlights

• India recorded a whopping 160 million cases of street/stray dog bites between 2019 and 2022, according to data submitted in Parliament till November 2022.
• This has also led to an increase in revenge crime and atrocities against dogs, feeders of dogs and caregivers as well as conflicts among urban residents
• The Rules have been formulated in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Hon’ble Supreme Court related to Animal Welfare Board of India and People for Elimination of Stray Troubles.
• The Supreme Court has specifically mentioned in various orders that relocation of dogs cannot be permitted.
• The Rules aim to provide guidelines for the sterilisation and immunisation of stray dogs through Animal Birth Control (ABC) programmes.
• The responsibility of carrying out ABC programmes lies with the respective local bodies, municipalities, municipal corporations, and panchayats.
• The Municipal Corporations are required to implement the ABC and Anti Rabies Program jointly.
• It provides guidelines on how to deal with human and stray dog conflicts without relocating the dogs in an area.
• It also emphasises addressing the cruelty involved in carrying out ABC programmes, ensuring animal welfare.
• India is looking forward to creating a One Health network that will not only serve rabies but will also strengthen surveillance and health systems for multiple health risks at the human-animal-environment interface through better coordination and communication between the animal- and human health and other relevant sectors.