Why in the News?
The Supreme Court has recently called returning sterilised stray dogs to the streets under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Program as “unreasonable and absurd” and ordered they be moved to shelters.
About Animal Birth Control (ABC) Program:
- Purpose: Humane, scientifically proven method to control stray dog populations and reduce rabies.
- Legal Basis: First under Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 (under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960); updated as Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.
- Development: Created with support from the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Core Method: “Catch–sterilise–vaccinate–release” model; prohibits relocation or culling.
- Implementation: Managed by municipalities, municipal corporations, and panchayats.
- Authorisation: Only organisations recognised by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) can conduct programs.
- Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023:
- Implemented to comply with Supreme Court guidelines in Writ Petition No. 691 of 2009.
- Assigns responsibility to local bodies (municipalities, corporations, panchayats) to conduct ABC programs for sterilisation and immunisation of stray dogs.
- Prohibits relocation of stray dogs as a means of population control; instead, they must be sterilised and returned to the same area.
- Only organisations recognised by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) can conduct ABC programs.
Key Features:
- Sterilisation Target: Minimum 70% of stray dogs in an area within one reproductive cycle (~6 months).
- Focus: Female sterilisation at a 70:30 female-to-male ratio.
- Rabies Control: Mandatory rabies vaccination (ABC–ARV) for every sterilised dog.
- Infrastructure: Kennels, veterinary facilities, vehicles, and hygienic shelters required.
- Recordkeeping: Detailed records for catching, surgery, vaccination, and release.
- Monitoring: State and local committees ensure compliance and handle complaints.
- Legal Protection: Mass relocation or killing prohibited under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
| [UPSC 2010] Consider the following statements:
1. Every individual in the population is equally susceptible host for Swine Flu. 2. Antibiotics have no role in the primary treatment of Swine Flu 3. To prevent the future spread of Swine Flu in the epidemic area, the swine (pigs) must all be culled. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Options: (a) 1 and 2 only* (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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