Central Government issued Animal (Dog) Birth Control Rules under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
New Delhi. Good news for animal lovers. No matter how stray or biting a dog is, it cannot be displaced from its locality or village. He can live wherever he wants or go as he pleases.
As directed by the Supreme Court, the Central Government on Tuesday notified the Animal (Dog) Birth Control Rules under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act was first introduced in the country in 1960 to prevent cruelty to animals. The Central Government has notified the Animal (Dog) Birth Control Rules-2023 under this act.
It has been clarified in the new rules that no one can refuse to feed or shelter dogs in those areas. Where these dogs are living. Ways can be found to deal with conflicts between humans and stray dogs even without banishing dogs from an area.
The Supreme Court in several of its orders has specifically mentioned that dogs cannot be allowed to be displaced and corporations need to jointly run animal birth control (ABC) and anti-rabies programmes.
The court said that only organizations approved by the Animal Welfare Board of India should be allowed to run sterilization campaigns. The list of such organizations should be made available on the website of the Board and should also be updated from time to time. There should not be any cruelty during sterilization of stray dogs. The number of stray dogs can also be reduced keeping in mind the spirit of animal welfare and compassion.
Along with notifying the new rules, the central government has issued a letter to the chief secretaries of all the states, the animal husbandry department and the principal secretaries of the urban development department. The local bodies have been urged to implement the rules in letter and spirit and not allow any organization to run such programs which are not recognized by the Animal Welfare Board of India and approved for ABC program or not mentioned in the rules.
Earlier, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act was also amended in 2002, clarifying that even if a dog is dangerous, it cannot be killed. There is a provision of punishment up to five years if found guilty of animal cruelty
