Impact of Delhi’s new street dog guidelines

The Delhi government has issued new guidelines dated 13 Sept 25, for managing street dog populations, rabies eradication, and reducing human-dog conflict in Delhi. The guidelines are based on the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, and court directions. They outline procedures for compliance, public safety, and animal welfare.

The focus on pet dogs caught my attention.

Summary of the Guidelines in Context of the ABC Rules 2023

The new guidelines outline a comprehensive approach to street dog management in Delhi. They emphasize the ABC program as the primary method for population control, which involves catching, sterilizing, vaccinating, and then releasing dogs back into their original territories. The guidelines also mandate the creation of specific feeding spots to manage the community dog population and reduce conflict. In addition, they address the registration of pet dogs and the handling of aggressive or rabid dogs. The guidelines also prohibit the relocation or killing of street dogs.

Impact on Municipalities, Animal Welfare Boards, and Animal Lovers

Municipalities

• Responsibility for the ABC Program: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and Delhi Cantonment Board (DCB) are responsible for implementing the ABC program in Delhi. The MCD is currently operating 20 ABC centers for this purpose.

• Infrastructure and Staffing: Municipalities must ensure that ABC centers have the necessary infrastructure, including kennels, operation theaters with power backup, and vans for transportation. They must also engage Animal Welfare Organizations (AWOs) recognized by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). The staff of these AWOs must be trained by an AWBI-run center.

• Monitoring and Reporting: Local authorities are required to form a Local ABC Monitoring Committee that meets monthly to assess program progress. They must also submit monthly progress reports from each ABC center to this committee and an annual report to the AWBI by May 31st each year.

• Pet Dog Registration: Municipal bodies are now responsible for the registration and renewal of pet dogs that are over three months old.

• Complaint Redressal: Each local authority must establish a 24/7 helpline and an online portal for complaints related to dog bites, suspected rabies, and ABC implementation.

Animal Welfare Boards

• Regulation and Recognition: The AWBI is a key player, as it is responsible for recognizing the AWOs that can conduct the ABC program.

• Appeals: The Delhi Animal Welfare Board serves as an appellate body for any conflicts related to the identification of feeding points in a locality.

• Registration: The Delhi Animal Welfare Board issues registration certificates for dog breeders.

Animal Lovers and Community Members

• Designated Feeding Spots: Animal caregivers are encouraged to identify and use specific feeding points within each municipal ward, in collaboration with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and other residents. These spots must be clearly marked with signs stating that feeding at other locations is not allowed. Anyone who feeds dogs must also maintain cleanliness.

• Participation in the ABC Program: Animal caregivers are encouraged to volunteer in the ABC program by assisting with the sterilization and vaccination of dogs.

• Protection from Harassment: The guidelines make it a serious offense to harass, threaten, or obstruct a person from responsibly feeding community dogs.

• Responsible Pet Ownership: The guidelines promote responsible pet ownership by requiring all pet dogs over three months old to be registered. They also offer an exemption from registration fees for those who adopt Indian dogs. Pet owners must provide proof of surgical sterilization for non-breeding dogs and an annual vaccination certificate for all pets.

Let’s refocus on the Pet Dog issue , pet owner duties etc that has been brought up in this order

Pet Ownership and Breeding Guidelines (Point IV)

The order introduces specific regulations for pet dogs, emphasizing responsible ownership and breeding.

• Registration: All dogs over three months of age kept as pets in Delhi must be registered with the relevant local body. The registration is valid for one year and automatically becomes invalid if the dog's anti-rabies vaccination lapses.

• Registration Categories: Pet dogs are to be registered in two categories: "Breeding category" for dogs that will be bred and "Non-breeding category" for those that will not.

• Sterilization: For dogs in the non-breeding category, owners must provide proof of surgical sterilization once the dog is a year old.

• Rabies Vaccination: It is mandatory for pet owners to produce an annual vaccination certificate for each dog.

• Breeding Regulations: Breeding is only permitted in commercial areas, and breeders must provide a declaration of compliance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017. Breeders also need to produce a registration certificate from the Delhi Animal Welfare Board.

• Incentives for Adopting Indian Dogs: Residents who adopt Indian dogs are exempt from paying registration fees and receive free sterilization and first vaccination at a local ABC center.

Original Guidelines below :

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOqeBsik8yf/?igsh=OG5hN3RjZTM1Zjkz

Mrs Maneka Gandhi’s view