The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying recently introduced the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, which replace the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001. Enacted under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960, these updated regulations aim to address the significant increase in street dog bites and associated issues.
The Objective and Significance of Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023
From 2019 to 2022, India logged an alarming 160 million cases of stray dog bites, as reported in Parliament till November 2022. This situation not only intensified conflicts among urban residents but also escalated retribution crimes against dogs, their feeders, and caregivers.
In an effort to mitigate these issues, the government formulated the new Animal Birth Control Rules in line with Supreme Court guidelines pertaining to the Animal Welfare Board of India and the People for the Elimination of Stray Troubles. These rules prohibit the relocation of dogs, as explicitly mentioned in various Supreme Court orders.
Provisions of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023
The updated rules provide a comprehensive framework for sterilising and immunising stray dogs via Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs. Entities such as local bodies, municipalities, municipal corporations, and panchayats bear the responsibility of executing these ABC programs.
Additionally, these regulations mandate that Municipal Corporations jointly conduct ABC and Anti Rabies Programs. They offer guidance on managing human-stray dog conflicts without requiring the displacement of dogs and underscore the imperative to prevent cruelty during ABC programs, thus promoting animal welfare.
Rabies: Causes, Prevalence, and Prevention
Rabies, a viral disease impacting the central nervous system, is found worldwide except Antarctica. Over 95% of human deaths due to rabies occur in Asia and Africa. This zoonotic illness is vaccine-preventable and is predominantly spread through the bite of an infected animal, usually dogs, which account for up to 99% of human transmission.
India records approximately 36% of the world’s rabies fatalities, making it a significant endemic location. Alarmingly, about 30-60% of reported rabies cases and related deaths involve children under 15 years, as bites often go unnoticed and unreported among this demographic. Rabies prevention relies primarily on pet vaccination and immediate medical intervention post-exposure, before the onset of symptoms.
Global and Indian Initiatives Against Rabies
On a global scale, the United Against Rabies Forum mobilizes experts from different organizations, ministries, and countries to attain zero dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030. India’s response has been to draft the National Action Plan for Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination by 2030 (NAPRE). Implemented by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, this strategy incorporates guidance from international agencies like the World Health Organization and the Global Alliance of Rabies Control (GARC).
One Health Network: A Comprehensive Approach
India aims to establish a One Health network that addresses not only rabies but also multiple health threats at the intersection of humans, animals, and the environment. By promoting enhanced coordination and communication between the health and other relevant sectors, this integrated approach can reinforce surveillance and health systems capabilities.
