Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023

Why in News 

In a move ordered by the Supreme Court, Rajasthan became the first state in India to have published the rules and regulations of dealing with stray dogs under the overall Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023.

Key Points: Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023

• The Department of Local Self-Government in Rajasthan gave comprehensive guidelines to every municipal corporation, counter- councils and municipalities.
• Feeding points: The wards/neighbourhood should be provided with food and water feeding points indicating which area the stray dogs can access to feed and have water, after hearings with the people living there and the animal welfare organizations. Cases of rabies can not be the reason not to feed.
• Sterilisation and vaccination facilities: Cities are required to create/ repair sterilisation, vaccination, deworming and aftercare facilities.
• Transparency: Mandatory CCTV inside operation theatres, proper record-keeping of medicines, treatment, and stray dog population. Video retention will take a 30 days period.
• Humanity in catching methods: strays can be caught by using nets or simply with hands; they cannot use tongs, wires and other rough instruments.
• Protection: puppies younger than six months and lactating mothers with pups could not be caught.
• Organisation of NGOs: NGOs will be paid to do sterilisation and care.

About the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023:

• Put in the context of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
• Purpose: To manage the stray dogs by sterilising and immunising them, whilst securing animal health and safety as well as the health and safety of the residents of the community.
• Provide framework for:
• Establishment of sterilisation centres.
• Humane treatment and handling of stray dogs.
• Role of local bodies & NGOs in implementation.
• Population involvement by use of the feeding points.
• Adhere to guidelines of the Supreme Court on the balance between stray dog welfare and safety.