(a) whether the Government is aware that the menace of stray dog bites to humans and animals is a serious issue still sufficiently not addressed; and
(b) if so, the measures being taken by the Government to control this menace and success rate of the programme along with the details of funds allocated and spent?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATES FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(DR SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)
(a) The Central Government has enacted the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 and amended in 2010. Under the Rules, the local bodies are mandated to carry out the Animal Birth control program to control the street/stray dog population and prevention of rabies. Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 provides for sterilization and vaccination of stray dogs to control the stray dog population and to prevent rabies and to reduce man-dog conflict. The Animal Welfare Board of India is implementing the Scheme of Animal Birth Control and immunization of stray dogs by providing grants-in-aids to the Animal Welfare Organizations and local bodies which are implementing the ABC programme. However, the efforts made by the Government are still insufficient.
(b) The Animal Welfare Board of India is implementing the Scheme of Animal Birth Control and immunization of stray dogs by providing grants-in-aids to the Animal Welfare Organizations and local bodies which are implementing the ABC programme. The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in its interim orders dated 18.11.2015, 9.03.2016, 4.10.2016 and 17.11.2016 in SLP (C) of 2009 has directed the State Governments and local bodies to take steps to implement the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2001 in letter and spirit. The reports of compliance need to be submitted to the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The reports received from the concerned State Governments/UTs were compiled by the Animal Welfare Board of India and submitted to the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. If any violation of Rules is reported the Animal Welfare Board of India is advising the concerned local bodies for rectification on regular basis.
In addition, the Animal Welfare Board of India has issued various advisories viz:
1) Advisory to the State Governments regarding the responsibilities of the local bodies to take necessary action regarding the stray animals.
2) The Board has issued advisory to the State Governments to implement the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 in letter and spirit.
3) Board has also conducted training programme with teh State Government for implementation of the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001
4) The Board has been issuing circulars regarding the creation of awareness during World Rabies Day (28th September), World Animal Day and Animal Welfare Fortnight celebrations.
The details of fund allocated and spent are as under:
Details of ABC grant received and released
Year Grant received Grant released to Animal Welfare Organizations
2014-15 1,00,00,000 96,83,929
2015-16 41,16,637 44,32,708
2016-17 58,32,829 29,54,600
2017-18 32,57,000 53,40,470
2018-19 24,43,210 29,23,348
Total 2,56,49,676 2,53,35,055