Parliament Question: Stray dog menace

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4212 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01ST APRIL, 2026 STRAY DOG MENACE 4212 SHRI C. VE. SHANMUGAM: Will the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying be pleased to state: (a) whether Government is aware that stray dog menace has become a severe problem for the citizens, especially for the elderly and children; (b) if so, the details of the rabies deaths happened during the last two years, year-wise and State-wise; and (c) the measures proposed to be taken by Government in this regard to safeguard the citizens from dog bites, leading to eventual death? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH) (a) to (c): The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is implementing National Rabies Control Programme (Human Health Component) since 12th Five-year plan in all States/UTs except for Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep to prevent and control Rabies in the Country. Rabies elimination requires a One Health approach, integrating efforts from the Department of Animal Husbandry, Department of Forest/environment/wildlife, Rural and Urban Local Bodies, and the Health Department and others. In view of this the "National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination by 2030" (NAPRE) was conceptualized and jointly launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying (MoFAHD) on September 28, 2021. The details about present status of implementation of activities envisaged under NAPRE can be seen at- https://rabiesfreeindia.mohfw.gov.in/resources/uploads/PageContentPdf/169391359514.pdf The NAPRE guidelines consist of two components: Human Health and Animal Health. The implementation of the Human Health component is undertaken by the ‘National Centre for Disease Control’ (NCDC) under MoHFW with dedicated budgetary support, while the implementation of the Animal Health component is to be undertaken by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under MoFAHD. As per Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 dog vaccination and dog population management are being done by the animal husbandry department of States/UTs in collaboration with local body authorities. As per the constitutional provisions under the Seventh Schedule, subjects such as “Public Health and Sanitation” and “Preservation, protection and improvement of stock and prevention of animal diseases” fall under the State List. Accordingly, the primary responsibility for management of stray dogs rests with the respective State Governments/Union Territory Administrations and Urban Local Bodies. However, the Government has taken several measures in consultation with AWBI & National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP) and issued advisories from time to time to address the issue, as below:1. The Central Government has notified the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which mandate local bodies to implement scientific sterilization and immunization of stray dogs. 2. Issuance of advisories by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to States/UTs for effective and humane management of stray dogs, including strict compliance with ABC Rules, prohibition of illegal relocation, and handling of dog bite cases in accordance with extant guidelines. The copies of advisories / circulars issued are available on the AWBI website. 3. Advising Urban Local Bodies to strengthen infrastructure and capacity for conducting sterilization and vaccination programmes. 4. Promotion of responsible pet ownership and discouragement of abandonment of pet animals. 5. The joint advisories vide letter dated 16th July 2025, issued by the Secretaries of the Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministries of Housing & Urban Affairs and Panchayati Raj addresses the registration of stray animals on the Bharat Pashudhan Portal with health records, large-scale sterilization drives under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, vaccination of stray cattle, and the establishment of Animal Shelters and Kanji Houses, especially at the Panchayat and Urban Local Body level. The letter emphasizes immediate and sustained implementation through inter- departmental coordination and capacity-building efforts. The copy of the letter is enclosed. 6. Coordination with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for implementation of the National Rabies Control Programme, including awareness on post-exposure prophylaxis. 7. Lifesaving Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Anti-Rabies Serum (ARS)/Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) are being provided free of cost at public health facilities under the National Health Mission, and are included in essential drug lists to ensure availability. 8. States are being supported to establish Model Anti-Rabies Clinics, with 284 clinics already operational, for timely management of dog bite cases. 9. To strengthen prevention and control, State Action Plans for Rabies Elimination (SAPRE) are being developed and implemented, and a “Rabies-Free City Initiative” has been launched in selected cities to achieve high dog vaccination coverage, improve access to post-exposure prophylaxis, and enhance public awareness. 10. Diagnostic capacity has been strengthened through 14 laboratories for rabies confirmation. 11. Further, advisories have been issued to States to notify human rabies as a notifiable disease, strengthen surveillance, ensure availability of ARV/ARS, and provide wound management facilities. 12. Standard training module and National guidelines for rabies prophylaxis has been in use since 2019 and published on website for free access to all healthcare providers and community. Link: https://rabiesfreeindia.mohfw.gov.in/downloads. 13. The community awareness and risk reduction is promoted through IEC campaigns, observance of World Rabies Day (28 Sept), dissemination of guidelines, and the Rabies Helpline (15400). Additionally, initiatives such as the Rabies-Free City Initiative and State Action Plans for Rabies Elimination (SAPRE) are being implemented to strengthen local interventions. Link of IECs: https://rabiesfreeindia.mohfw.gov.in/iec 14. In addition, surveillance systems have been strengthened through regular reporting on the IHIP- IDSP portal. 15. Digital platforms like the NRCP website and the upcoming Zoo-WIN system are being developed for better monitoring of cases, vaccine logistics, and program implementation. Link of NRCP website: https://rabiesfreeindia.mohfw.gov.in/ ****