Rajasthan has taken the lead in implementing the Supreme Court’s directive on the stray dogs management by becoming the first state in the country to issue a detailed framework for civic bodies.
The Department of Local Self Government has circulated comprehensive instructions to all municipal corporations, councils, and municipalities, mandating strict adherence to the Stray Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023.
According to the order, every ward and locality must have designated feeding zones for stray dogs. These will be identified in consultation with resident welfare associations (RWAs) and animal welfare groups. Even in cases involving rabies, food and water must continue to be provided at these points. Civic bodies are required to submit compliance reports to the state government within 30 days.
“Rajasthan has set an example for the country by framing structured guidelines that balance public health concerns with compassion for animals,” said Ravi Jain, Secretary, Department of Local Self Government.
Key Features of the Guidelines
- Feeding Points: Locations will be marked and boards installed to indicate designated feeding spots, determined based on the number of stray dogs in each area.
- Sterilisation & Vaccination: Civic authorities will establish or repair sterilisation centres equipped with vaccination and deworming facilities. Only trained personnel will be allowed to catch dogs, using nets or bare hands. The use of harmful tools such as tongs, wires, or snares has been banned. Puppies under six months and lactating females with pups are exempt from capture.
- Incentives for NGOs: Organisations recognised by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) will be paid ₹200 for catching a dog and ₹1,450 for sterilisation, feeding, and post-operative care.
- Monitoring Committees: Every municipal body must form a committee, including at least one representative from an animal welfare group, to oversee sterilisation, vaccination, and release programmes.
- Care for Sick and Rabid Dogs: Injured or ill dogs must be treated before sterilisation. Suspected rabid animals will be quarantined under veterinary supervision, while only dogs with a repeated history of bites will be handed over to registered animal welfare organisations. Non-aggressive and rabies-free dogs must be returned to their original localities after treatment and sterilisation.
- Transparency & Records: Municipalities must maintain detailed logs of sterilisation, treatment, feeding, mortality, and equipment, along with staff attendance records. Thirty days of CCTV footage from sterilisation centres must be preserved. Cameras in operation theatres and ABC centres have also been made compulsory.
- Sterilised Dogs: All sterilised dogs will be tagged, vaccinated, and released back into the same locality from which they were picked up, maintaining ecological balance in neighbourhoods.
Catch-and-release teams will consist of a municipal van driver, two trained employees, and an animal welfare committee representative. Each member must carry an ID card, and local residents must be informed before any catching operation.
With these measures, Rajasthan has positioned itself as a model state in implementing humane, structured, and transparent practices for the management of stray dogs, striking a balance between community safety and animal rights.
