Rajasthan Issues India’s First Stray Dog Guidelines Following Supreme Court Directive

Quick Summary

• Rajasthan becomes the first Indian state to issue a detailed framework for stray dog management following a Supreme Court directive on controlling the canine population.
• Guidelines mandate adherence to Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, by all municipal bodies.
• Key provisions:

– Designated feeding zones for dogs in every ward/locality.
– Establishment of new centers for sterilisation, vaccination, and deworming.
– Strict prohibition of tongs, wires or nooses; capture must use humane methods (nets or hand capturing).
– Dogs under six months and lactating females cannot be sterilised; sick/injured dogs require treatment before operation.
– Post-operative release back to original locations with local feeder cooperation mandatory.

• NGOs recognized by the Animal Welfare board will receive ₹200 per captured stray dog and ₹1,450 for sterilisation efforts including feeding and care post-procedure.
• Urban bodies required to submit compliance reports within 30 days and form monitoring committees for oversight while CCTV clarity is required at medical centers.
• Dogs suspected of rabies or biting must be captured humanely under veterinary supervision until their natural death.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Rajasthan’s initiative marks a notable step in addressing stray dog issues that balance public safety with animal welfare. The focus on humane handling processes aligns with an ethical approach that prioritizes coexistence rather than elimination of street dogs. Mandatory feeding zones and sterilisation programs could reduce conflicts between urban populations and stray animals over time while also curbing uncontrolled canine population growth.

The integration of accountability measures like monitoring committees, compliance reports, funding allocation to NGOs, along with mandatory CCTV cameras highlights an emphasis on transparency-a crucial factor in ensuring proper implementation across urban bodies in the state.However, triumphant execution remains key as challenges such as logistical complexity in large-scale sterilisations may demand consistent training among personnel alongside adequate resources. Rajasthan’s structured guidelines provide a model framework that other states could reference-of particular importance given periodic debates over how best to handle strays nationally amidst rising concerns about health risks such as rabies cases.

Read more: The Hindu