Parliament Question: Implementation of ABC Rules

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 354 ANSWERED ON 21st JULY, 2026 IMPLEMENTATION OF ABC RULES 354. DR. BYREDDY SHABARI: Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन, पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) whether any guidelines or advisories have been issued by the Government to States/Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules and compliance with directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court regarding management of rabid and aggressive stray dogs, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether financial assistance has been provided to States/ULBs for establishment or upgradation of dog shelters, sterilisation and vaccination facilities, and procurement of dog catching equipment and vehicles and if so, the details thereof, State-wise; (c) whether any training programmes have been conducted for municipal staff, veterinary officers, animal handlers and shelter personnel, particularly in rural areas, if so, the details thereof, State- wise; (d) whether Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or certification protocols have been issued for identification and long term sheltering of aggressive or rabid dogs and if so, the details thereof; and (e) the details of monitoring mechanism followed by the Government to ensure compliance by ULBs with the ABC Rules and Supreme Court directions? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH) (a) The Government of India has notified Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023 on 10.03.2023. After notification, The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India (GoI) had issued advisory to all the States and UTs to implement ABC Rules, 2023 on 27.03.2023. Again on 11.11.2024, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GoI had issued advisory to all the States/UTs for Implementation of the Animal Birth Control Programme as per the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. On 16.07.2025, the Secretaries of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) have also issued a joint advisory to all the States/UTs, urging the implementation of the ABC Programme and the development of requisite infrastructure.(b) The dog population management is the mandate of the local bodies. The local bodies are implementing the ABC Programme. However, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GoI is implementing Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) during 2026-27. The State Government can avail incentives under the scheme after taking various reform measures. Sterilisation and vaccination of dogs are included as an important reform measures under SASCI. The State Governments can establish dog shelter, animal shelter and animal birth control centres under the scheme. (c) The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), in collaboration with the U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, organised two National Training Programmes on "Animal Birth Control (Awareness on Dog Welfare and Public Health)" in which 49 participants (25 veterinarians and 24 para-veterinary professionals) from 13 States were trained on scientific dog population management, sterilisation, anti-rabies vaccination and implementation of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. Further, AWBI has signed Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lucknow Nagar Nigam and Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Department to conduct training in the facility developed by the Lucknow Nagar Nigam. Three training programmes have been conducted and 35 participants trained on scientific sterilisation procedures, anti-rabies vaccination and implementation of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. (d) In compliance with the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in Suo Motu Writ Petition (Civil) No. 5 of 2025, AWBI has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on 27.11.2025 prescribing procedures for identification, capture, veterinary examination, treatment, rehabilitation and long-term sheltering of rabid, suspected rabid and aggressive dogs for the Institutions and public places. (e) Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the matter of Suo-moto W.P. 05 of 2025 has upheld Animal Birth Control Rules and issued detailed direction and guidelines to the State Government vide order dated 19.05.2026. All the High Courts have been directed to register a suo moto writ petition, in the name and style of: “In Re: Compliance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court of India in Suo Motu Writ Petition (Civil) No(s). 5 of 2025”, as a continuing mandamus, for monitoring compliance with the directions issued by Apex Court. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GoI has made provision for registration of stray dogs and animal birth control centers in the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM) portal to improve monitoring of sterilization and anti-rabies vaccination programmes and strengthen implementation of the Animal Birth Control Programme. Further, to monitor compliance of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India directions, AWBI has convened two meetings on 11.12.2025 and 02.01.2026, to review the status of sterilisation and anti- rabies vaccination drives, implementation of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and submission of compliance data. ***