Mandate on Stray Dogs' Control Declared Unfeasible; Advocacy for Mass Sterilization Instead
In a bid to eradicate rabies deaths and regulate stray dog populations, a practical and humane approach is being advocated in India. This approach centers on the implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, a strategy that involves catching, sterilizing, vaccinating, and returning dogs to their original areas.
Key elements of this approach include mass sterilization and vaccination, humane capture and release practices, targeted temporary sheltering, and the use of smart technology and mobile units.
Mass sterilization and vaccination, guided by the ABC rules, form a nationwide legal framework for humane population control and vaccination of stray dogs. Cities with over 80% sterilization, such as Jaipur and Vadodara, have seen significant drops in dog bites and rabies cases.
Returning sterilized and vaccinated dogs helps sustain herd immunity and prevents the vacuum effect, where removed dogs are quickly replaced by new strays, undoing population control efforts.
Coordinating with resident welfare associations and feeders ensures dogs are caught safely using nets, not sticks or nooses, receive proper veterinary care including rabies vaccination, and are returned after healing, maintaining community relations.
While some propose sheltering large numbers of stray dogs, current facilities in India are overstretched with poor conditions, making lifelong confinement impractical and inhumane. Shelters are best used temporarily for treating sick or aggressive dogs before release or adoption, not for mass relocation.
Innovations like GPS-enabled smart collars to monitor sterilized dogs, drone surveillance to map dog populations, and mobile vaccination units reaching dogs in situ improve the efficiency and scalability of ABC programmes.
Public awareness and community participation are also crucial. Educating communities on responsible feeding, bite-prevention, and participating in sterilization drives fosters coexistence and safety.
Economic and policy considerations are vital. ABC costs (approximately Rs 1,000 per dog) are more cost-effective than large-scale sheltering (approximately Rs 2,500 per dog plus infrastructure investment). Effective stray dog management requires coordination across government agencies, NGOs, vets, and local communities, backed by sustained funding and scientific monitoring.
In light of the Supreme Court's suggestion to set up shelters as a solution, it is important to note that this approach emphasizes the importance of health and safety for all people and humane treatment for all species. Culling, a controversial method used in some countries to manage animal populations, is not a part of this approach.
In conclusion, humane and practical management of stray dogs and rabies deaths relies primarily on the expansion and proper implementation of the ABC programme combined with vaccination, community engagement, targeted temporary sheltering, and leveraging technology to optimize impact while minimizing harm to both humans and dogs.
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