(a) whether the Government is planning to develop a dog or cow shelter in Delhi, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Government maintains a record of stray cattle and stray dogs in Delhi and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the steps taken by the Government to minimise spread of diseases in stray dogs and stray cattle; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Government to move stray cattle away from public roads and highways in Delhi?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(DR SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)
(a) As per information received from the Government of Delhi, Five Gaushalas have been established by the Delhi Government for keeping the stray cattle. Under the provisions of the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, the stray dogs, after sterilization and antirabies vaccination, have to be left in the same areas from where they have been picked up. Relocation/removal of stray dogs from their original habitat would be the violation of Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960 and also the Orders of Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 18.11.2015 in SLP No. 691/2009.
(b) As per 19th Livestock Census, 2012, there were 12163 stray cattle and 60472 stray dogs in Delhi.
(c) The veterinary care is the mandate of the State Government. However, the Central Government is implementing a Scheme namely Livestock Health and Disease Control (LH & DC) and National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) on pan India basis including Delhi. Under Assistance to State for Control of Animal Disease (ASCAD), a component of LH& DC Scheme, 100% Assistance are provided to Union Territory Governments for control of economically important diseases and zoonotic diseases of livestock and Poultry. The vaccination to control of rabies in dog and Haemorrhagic Septicemia, Black Quarter in Cattle are covered under the programme.
Further, under NADCP, a new Central Sector Scheme is being implemented for control of Foot and Mouth Disease and Brucella.This scheme envisages 100% six monthly vaccination coverage of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pigs against Foot and Mouth Disease and female cattle and buffalo calves (4-8 months of age) once in lifetime against Brucellosis. The Central Government is providing 100% financial assistance to the States.
Under the Animal Birth Control programme which is being implemented by the Central Government through Animal Welfare Board of India, there is a provision of Anti Rabies vaccination for dogs after sterilization.
(d) In compliance with the Direction of the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi, the Stray cattle are impounded by the Municipal Corporation and sent to the Gaushalas. South Delhi Municipal Corporation have impounded 4180 stray cattle and send to Gaushalas during the period from April 2019 to December, 2019.