Stray Animals in Indian Cities: Whose Responsibility Is It?
India has an estimated 30 million stray dogs — more than any other country. The National Rabies Control Programme reports 18-20 million dog bites annually in India, resulting in roughly 20,000 deaths from rabies — the highest in the world. Yet local bodies remain paralysed between animal welfare law and public safety obligations.
The Legal Framework
The Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules 2001, issued under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, prohibit the killing or relocating of stray dogs. The only permitted intervention is the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme: sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination, followed by return to the area where the dog was found. This approach is scientifically sound — but requires consistent, well-funded implementation that most municipalities fail to deliver.
The Implementation Gap
Municipal ABC programmes are typically underfunded and intermittent. A city might sterilise 5,000 dogs in a campaign year and then reduce the programme the following year. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that municipalities must maintain ABC programmes continuously — but enforcement of this order is weak.
When Dogs Attack: Who Is Liable?
The Supreme Court of India held in Animal Welfare Board of India v. A. Nagaraja that municipalities are liable for dog bites if they have failed to implement ABC programmes. Victims can seek compensation from the Municipal Corporation. The process requires Sharing feedback with the corporation, documenting medical treatment, and, if necessary, approaching the consumer forum or civil court.
How to Report a Stray Animal Issue
- Report to the Municipal Corporation's animal husbandry or ABC cell
- File on CPGRAMS with "stray animal menace" category
- File on Seedhi Baat to create an MP-level record demanding ABC programme funding
Join Seedhi Baat and demand that your MP fund proper ABC implementation in your constituency.
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