| UPSC Relevance; Prelims:Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023,Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960,Role of National Centre for Disease Control Mains:GS-2: Government policies & issues in implementation. GS-3: Public health, environmental concerns in urban governance. GS-4: Ethics — balancing animal rights with human safety. |
Why in News?
On August 11, 2025, the Supreme Court of India directed Delhi and its satellite cities to collect all street dogs within eight weeks, confine them permanently in shelters, and expand shelter capacity. This is a strong judicial intervention aimed at addressing the growing menace of street dogs and rabies-related health hazards.
Background
- Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 (ABC Rules):
- Follow Capture–Neuter–Vaccinate–Release (CNVR) method.
- Ban on permanent relocation or long-term confinement of healthy street dogs — exceptions: rabid, incurably ill, or certified dangerously aggressive by a veterinarian.
- Current Situation in Delhi:
- ~30,000 dog bite cases annually.
- Rabies still causes deaths, especially among poor residents with limited access to vaccines.
- Sterilisation drives fail to reach the 70% coverage needed to control population.
Conflict
- ABC Rules require dogs to be released back to their original territory after sterilisation.
- Recent Supreme Court Order calls for permanent confinement in shelters, creating a direct contradiction.
- Municipal dilemma:
- If they follow ABC Rules → possible contempt of court.
- If they follow SC order → possible prosecution under Central laws.
Constitutional & Legal Dimensions
- Article 51A(g): Fundamental duty to show compassion towards all living creatures.
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960: Protects animals from unnecessary pain and suffering.
- Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001: Prioritises sterilisation and vaccination, bans culling of stray dogs.
- Municipal Laws: Can permit removal of dogs for public safety, but must align with central laws.
Concerns Raised by Activists
- Shelter Shortage: Delhi does not have enough space to house ~5,000 stray dogs in humane conditions.
- Risk of Cruelty: Large-scale capture with limited resources may lead to abuse or neglect.
- Public Backlash: Animal rights groups say the move violates existing laws and ethical principles.
Court’s Rationale (August 11 Order)
- Reason: Rising stray dog attacks, especially on children.
- Priority: Public safety seen as more important in this case.
- Warning: Authorities could face contempt of court for blocking the capture process.
- Suggestion: Create a special team dedicated to rounding up stray dogs.
Ethical & Policy Dilemma
- Public Safety View:
- Supporters of the court order want to protect people, especially children, from rabies and attacks.
- Animal Rights View:
- Opponents stress constitutional compassion, legal safeguards, and humane methods like sterilisation.
Bottom Line: This is a governance challenge balancing urban safety, public health, and animal welfare ethics.
Issues and Challenges
1. Outdated Legal Framework
- The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 was framed when India’s cities were far less crowded.
- Today’s megacities, especially with informal settlements, face much higher risks from uncontrolled stray dog populations.
2. Failure of Sterilisation Programmes
- Sterilisation drives are sporadic and rarely achieve the 70% coverage needed for population control.
- The “release to territory” rule often means dogs return to the same high-risk areas like garbage dumps and playgrounds.
3. Ideological Stalemate
- Some activists romanticise community dogs and resist confinement measures.
- This can ignore public safety concerns, particularly in densely populated urban spaces.
4. Administrative & Financial Gaps
- Municipal bodies lack consistent funding and a trained veterinary workforce for long-term dog population control.
- Shelter capacity is far below requirements, making large-scale humane confinement nearly impossible.
Suggested Policy Reforms
1. Legislative Overhaul
- Enact a modern animal control law that clearly distinguishes:
- Sociable dogs: To be adopted.
- Aggressive or chronically ill dogs: Humane euthanasia.
- Others: Shift to long-term shelters, not back to public roads.
2. Institutional & Financial Measures
- Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) should have a statutory duty for stray dog management.
- Mandate minimum staffing and veterinary standards for shelters.
- Provide fiscal incentives — link funding to measurable reduction in dog bite cases.
3. Integration with Health Infrastructure
- Channel funding through the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for:
- Setting up and maintaining dog shelters.
- Financing mass sterilisation and vaccination teams.
4. Veterinary Education Reforms
- Include shelter medicine and humane stray management in veterinary curricula.
- Ensure a steady supply of skilled manpower for animal control programmes.
Way Forward
1. Balanced Approach
- Adopt strategies that protect human health while ensuring humane treatment of animals.
- Use a mix of sterilisation, vaccination, adoption, and safe sheltering.
2. Legal Clarity
- Amend laws to eliminate contradictions between Supreme Court directions and Animal Birth Control Rules.
- Clearly define responsibilities of municipal bodies under central legislation.
3. Sustainable Funding
- Link government allocations to tangible public health outcomes such as reduced dog bite and rabies cases.
- Provide dedicated budget lines for shelter management and sterilisation drives.
4. Community Engagement
- Promote citizen awareness on responsible pet ownership and proper waste management to avoid attracting stray dogs.
- Conduct rabies prevention campaigns in schools and community centres.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s intervention has forced a long-overdue debate on India’s street dog policy. The ABC Rules, though well-intentioned, have failed to control urban dog populations due to inadequate coverage, legal inflexibility, and lack of resources. India now needs a modern, well-funded, legally consistent framework that safeguards public health, ensures animal welfare, and empowers municipalities with both the authority and resources to act decisively.
UPSC Practice Questions
Prelims
Q. Consider the following statements about the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023:
- They mandate capture, neuter, vaccinate, and permanent sheltering of all street dogs.
- They prohibit relocation of healthy dogs to new territories.
- Dogs can be permanently impounded only if rabid, incurably ill, or declared dangerously aggressive.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Mains
Q. Street dog management in India has become a public health and governance challenge. Critically analyse the conflict between judicial directives and existing legal frameworks. Suggest reforms for humane and effective urban dog control. (250 words)
SOURCE- THE HINDU
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