Jaipur, August 29, 2025:
Rajasthan has become the first State in the country to issue a comprehensive framework for the management of stray dogs, following a recent Supreme Court directive on controlling the canine population in the National Capital Region.
The Department of Local Self Government (LSG) has circulated detailed guidelines to all municipal corporations, councils, and municipalities, mandating strict adherence to the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023.
Feeding Zones, Sterilisation Centres
Under the new rules, every ward and locality will have designated feeding zones, while new centres will be established for sterilisation, vaccination, and deworming. Urban local bodies must submit compliance reports within 30 days.
Local Self Government Secretary Ravi Jain said Rajasthan had set an example for the country by balancing public safety with animal welfare.
“These comprehensive orders will bring the desired results. All municipal bodies have been asked to study the rules in full and ensure strict compliance,” he said.
Humane Capture Only
The guidelines ban the use of tongs, wires, or nooses for capturing dogs, mandating humane handling by trained staff using nets or by hand.
Each dog-catching team must include:
- a van driver
- two or more trained municipal employees
- a representative of an animal welfare organisation
Sick or injured dogs can only be sterilised after full recovery, while puppies under six months and lactating females with un-weaned litters cannot be captured.
Once sterilised, vaccinated, and dewormed, dogs will be released back to their original location, with local feeders informed.
Animal Welfare and Monitoring
Jaipur-based activist Mariam Abuhaideri welcomed the move, calling it a potential model for the country, but cautioned that implementation would be challenging.
NGOs recognised by the Animal Welfare Board of India will receive:
- ₹200 for catching each dog
- ₹1,450 for sterilisation, feeding, and post-operative care
Every municipal body will form a monitoring committee to track sterilisation, vaccination, and release programmes.
Rabies, Transparency, and CCTV
To ensure transparency, CCTV cameras will be mandatory in operation theatres and ABC centres. Dogs suspected of rabies or repeated biting incidents will be isolated in kennels under veterinary supervision until natural death.
The guidelines also require mandatory fact verification in reported dog-bite cases to avoid misuse of complaints.
