Rajasthan has become the first State in the country to issue a detailed framework on the management of stray dogs, with the guidelines for civic bodies following a recent directive of the Supreme Court in the matter.
The Department of Local Self Government has circulated comprehensive instructions to all Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, and municipalities, mandating strict adherence to the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023.
According to the guidelines, every ward and locality will have designated feeding zones for stray dogs, while new centres will be established for their sterilisation, vaccination and deworming. The instructions include the action to be taken for capture, treatment and release of dogs. The urban local bodies are required to submit compliance reports within 30 days.
Local Self Government Secretary Ravi Jain said here that the State had set an example for the country by framing structured guidelines which balance public safety with animal welfare. “Threse comprehensive orders will bring the desired results. All municipal bodies have been asked to study the rules in full and ensure strict compliance,” Mr. Jain said.
The guidelines ban the use of tongs, wires or nooses to capture dogs, instead mandating “humane handling” by trained personnel who should either use nets or capture them by hand. Each dog-catching team will include a van driver, two or more trained municipal employees, and a representative of an animal welfare organisation.
