Lok Sabha Question No. 1943 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-01
Subject: Increase in Stray Dog Attacks
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1943

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01 st  AUGUST, 2023

## INCREASE IN STRAY DOG ATTACKS

## 1943. SHRI HIBI EDEN:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपाऱन , पशुपाऱन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the existence of dangerous and aggressive dogs pose a threat to public safety;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that the ineffective implementation of ABC Rules by local bodies has contributed to the rise in stray dog population;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  also  aware  of  the  discrepancy  between  the  reported  decline  in animal bite cases and the ground reality;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  open  to  reviewing  and  updating  the  existing  policies  and guidelines  regarding  the  permission  to  kill  dangerous  and  aggressive  dogs  in  alignment  with scientific advancements and best practices in animal behaviours and welfare;
- (e) whether the Government is aware that the current approval process by the AWBI can lead to delays in the implementation of ABC programmes at the local level; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes. Sir. It is a fact that the aggressive dogs when instigated may bite human being.
- (b) Yes. Sir. There is information that the Municipalities and Corporation are conducting ABC programme in unstructured manner without following the ABC Rules.
- (c) No. Sir. The information on dog bite cases are reported in the Integrated Health Information Platfor  (IHIP)  under  Integrated  Disease  Surveillance  Programme(IDSP)  implemented  by  the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The data collection is happening through the hospitals itself as per the declaration of the patient.
- (d)  As  per  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to  Animal  Act,  1960,  euthanasia  is  allowed  for  those animals which are severely ill and incurable. However, the Act prohibits the culling of healthy animals and only effective way to control or manage the stray dog population is through Animal Birth Control programme. Further, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in SLP 691 of 2009 vide

its  order  dated  18.11.2015  has  directed  that  no  innovative  method  or  subterfuge  should  be adopted by the local authority other than the methods prescribed under the Animal Birth Control (Dog)  Rules,2001  notified  by  the  Government  of  India  which  has  now  been  superseded  by Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 . Any kind of laxity while carrying out statutory obligations, is not countenanced in la w .

(e)  &  (f)  No.  Sir.  The  AWBI is  expeditiously  processing the applications received  for Project Recognition for conducting Animal Birth Control Program so that the effective implementation of  the  ABC  programme  can  be  carried  out  at  the  local  levels.  Animal  Welfare  Organizations engaged by local authority having requisite infrastructure, training and expertise for carrying out ABC programme, are eligible to submit the online application through the web portal of AWBI www.awbi.gov.in  for Project Recognition of each ABC Centre. Processes required for approval has been notified in the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.

*****