Lok Sabha Question No. 1132 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-13
Subject: Increase of Street Dogs
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1132 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH  DECEMBER,2022

## INCREASE OF STREET DOGS

## 1132. SHRI HIBI EDEN:

## Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the number of street dogs in the country has increased, if so, the details thereof and action taken thereon during the last five years and the current year, State/UT-wise;
- (b) whether the Government intends Kudumbasree as one of the recognized organizations to undertake  an animal birth control programme in the State of Kerala and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  inspected  Kudumbasree  in  Kerala  and  found  out  that  these  centres  are  not fulfilling  the  minimum  criteria  for  carrying  out  the  Animal  Birth  Control  Programme,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d) whether the centres in Kerala by Kudumbasree have the minimum standards for conducting sterilization and immunization of stray dogs and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  is  of  the  belief  that  inefficient  employees  and  an  inadequate  system ofKudumbasree are the basic reasons for the increase of stray dogs in Kerala?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA )

- (a)  No. Sir. As per the Livestock Census conducted in the year 2012, the number of stray dog population was 17138349 and after the Livestock Census conducted during 2019, The Member is 15309355.
- (b)  To  control  the  population  of  the  street  dogs,  the  Central  Government  has  framed  the  Animal  Birth Control (ABC) (Dogs) Rules, 2001 (as amended in 2010) which is to be implemented by the local authority to control the population of stray dogs. The street dogs shall be sterilized and immunized by participation of animal welfare organizations, private individuals and the local authority. Further, the Animal Welfare Organizations intending to carry out the ABC Programme need to be recognized by the Animal Welfare Board  of  India  (AWBI).  The  l  Welfare  Board  of  India  is  examining  the  requests  of  the  union  Animal Welfare Organizations based on the available infrastructure and manpower available with the organization.

(c) & (d) Kudumbashree had applied for ABC Permission to the Board for its ABC Centres in 8 Districts (multiple centers in each Districts). Inspection reports from the State Government were received in case of all  its  ABC  Centers  with  the  recommendation  to  grant  them  ABC  Permission.  The  Centres  were  reinspected by the team constituted by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). It was observed that the proposed Centres were not fulfilling the minimum criteria for carrying out ABC program as the Centre was closed for more than 6 months as per the direction of the High Court of Kerala vide order dated 17.12.2021.

The deficiencies pointed out by the AWBI Team were informed to the Organization to upgrade the ABC Centre as per the minimum standards for conducting sterilization and immunization of stray dogs vide letter dated 06.07.2022.

(e) The control of stray animal population is the mandate of the local bodies and also to ensure the proper implementation  of  the  ABC  (Dogs)  Rules,  2001  the  local  bodies  themselves  or  Animal  Welfare Organizations who are having the adequate infrastructure and other required facilities as per the  revised AWBI Module.

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