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New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Madras HC seeks Tamil Nadu's reply on plea against microchipping dogs
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has ordered notice to the state government and the Animal Welfare Board of India on a petition filed by activist S Muralidharan against the Tamil Nadu government's proposed action for implanting microchips on dogs – pets and strays – as part of the measures to control stray dog menace and protect people from dog-bites. A division bench of Justices Senthilkumar Ramamoothy and T V Thamilselvi ordered the respondent authorities to file reply to the petition by June 20, and adjourned the hearing. The petitioner had prayed for an interim injunction to restrain the state government authorities from proceeding with all tenders, contracts, construction, disbursement or implementation of animal birth control (ABC) projects in TN. He noted that the state government has proceeded with the microchipping project by floating a tender at a cost of Rs 5.40 crore despite the fact that a writ petition challenging the constitutional validity of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, is pending before the high court.
New Indian Express
07-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Kerala to roll out mobile ABC unit to tackle infrastructure gaps, public resistance
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a first-of-its-kind initiative to address the challenges in managing the stray dog population, the state government is all set to roll out a mobile ABC Unit. The move comes in the wake of mounting infrastructure challenges and growing public resistance that have left several ABC centres non-operational in the state. Minister for Animal Husbandry J Chinchu Rani told TNIE that the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has approved the project and the first mobile ABC unit will begin operations immediately. She said that the project would be piloted in Thiruvananthapuram district. 'One of the main challenges we are facing now is lack of ABC centres and the Centre has made the ABC rules more strict making it difficult for implementing such projects. We met the AWBI members and the mobile ABC unit is more cost-effective compared to static ABC centres. The officials were impressed and approved the design,' said J Chinchu Rani. It is learned that four districts in the state lack ABC centres and the Animal Husbandry Department is planning to expand the mobile unit across the state. For setting up an ABC centre as per ABC Rules, the cost will go up to Rs 2 crore. The mobile ABC Unit is being implemented using CSR funds and costs around Rs 25 lakh. 'The Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) has agreed to fund the project and the mobile unit can be mounted on a truck and stationed in any open space. The area will be cordoned off temporarily and army tends will be used to keep the dogs after sterilization. As per rules, the dog should be given care for the next five days before releasing it at the spot from where it was caught,' said an official of the animal husbandry department. The mobile units will move around in the district and will station at a location for a maximum of 15 days before moving to a new area. 'This innovative approach is designed to overcome both logistical challenges and public concerns.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Kerala: Amid deaths, zero sterilisation in four districts cause for concern
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The recent rabies deaths in Kerala have sparked concerns across the state. However, even more troubling is the poor progress in sterilising stray dogs and rabies vaccination coverage in many districts. Data from the animal husbandry department for the 2024-25 fiscal, the latest, reveals that four districts – Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki and Wayanad – recorded zero sterilisations of stray dogs. Kerala reported around 3.17 lakh dog-bite cases in 2024. Despite the worryingly high number of cases, local bodies across the state are struggling with gaps in infrastructure, stiff resistance from the public against Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres and strict rules and regulations in the ABC Rules to manage the growing stray dog population in the state. As per the data, 15,767 dogs were sterilised and 88,744 dogs vaccinated last year. Animal Husbandry Minister J Chinchu Rani told TNIE that sterilisation was the only practical solution to address the crisis. 'The stiff mandates in ABC Rules are a huge handicap for us. We met the Animal Welfare Board of India and the authorities concerned at the Centre for relaxations. They have agreed to authorise our centres,' she said. Sources said Kerala has around 15 ABC centres, while work on another 15 is nearing completion. Moreover, land to set up five more centres has been identified. 'We are facing stiff resistance from the public. It's a real issue. We are bound to comply with the ABC Rules and, as per rules, after vaccination and sterilisation, we have to release the dogs from where they are caught,' said LSGD Minister M B Rajesh. He said some districts are faring better than other, but there are districts where lack of infrastructure is a real issue. Meanwhile, in the wake of the rabies deaths this year, the animal husbandry department is planning to come up with an advisory to intensify dog vaccinations in the state. 'The vaccination drive will be intensified immediately. We will be issuing strict directives to scale up vaccination of stray dogs. There is lack of consistency in the efforts because of other responsibilities,' Chinchu Rani said.
New Indian Express
03-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
TN state-level panel to coordinate ABC programme, keep stray dogs on leash
CHENNAI: The state government has constituted an inter-departmental 'State Animal Birth Control (ABC) Implementation and Monitoring Committee' in line with the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. The committee, formed in the backdrop of concerns over increasing stray population and dog bites, aims at controlling the stray dog population humanely while ensuring public health and safety. It will be responsible for coordinating the ABC programme in a scientific and phased manner. Chief Minister MK Stalin chaired a review meeting on Friday to assess the preparatory measures for the initiative. According to the order issued in this regard, the committee will be responsible for establishing ABC monitoring committees in all local bodies and preparing district-level action plans to manage the dog population. It will also be responsible for enlisting the qualified ABC agencies that are recognised by the Animal Welfare Board of India. The state-level body will also inspect the implementation of the ABC programme, investigate complaints related to ABC, cruelty to animals during its implementation and violation of animal birth control rules and ensure appropriate action. The committee shall meet once every three months or as and when required, the order read. The state-level committee is chaired by the principal secretary of municipal administration and water supply department. The director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services will serve as the member secretary and nodal officer for implementing the programme.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Maharashtra animal rights activists demand proper sterilisation of dogs, cats in rural areas
Navi Mumbai: Animal rights activists have pointed out the total absence of animal birth control (ABC) measures in rural and semi-urban areas of Maharashtra, and therefore demanded the implementation of sterilisation of dogs, cats in order to control their population as per the directives of court and Animal Welfare Board of India. "While bigger cities like Navi Mumbai, Mumbai and Thane do carry out dog sterilisation as per the ABC Rules of 2023, just a few kilometres away in various talukas of Raigad and beyond, no ABC programme is done, which leads of human-animal conflicts and animal-animal issues due to overpopulation. The Gram Samitis are supposed to give funds to Gram Panchayats to do dog sterilisations," said activist R activist Anarjit Chauhan commented: "I have inquired with various Raigad talukas like Roha, Uran, Karjat among others, but none have proper ABC programmes. The villagers use crude methods like poisoning of dogs, puppies and even illegal animal relocations to get rid of canine and feline numbers. But, this is animal cruelty and total lack of awareness about animal welfare in villages." Chauhan further added that no proper space or rooms are allocated by gram panchayats to carry out operations for dog sterilizations. "Even the mandatory cattle pounds and `gai-charan' (grazing land for cattle) are missing in most gram panchayats as these lands have been either sold away or used for some other purpose. It is high time that animal welfare work is carried out on priority basis,'' he said. A Press Information Bureau release of March 2025 states: ``The issue of stray dogs can be managed through effective ABC, specifically through the sterilization of male and female dogs. The Central Government has issued advisories for ABC programs by local bodies. Additionally, the Central Government has formulated the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, to guide municipalities in implementing sterilization programs.'' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo "Even the veterinary officers and animal husbandry officials in rural areas are not circulating the ABC rules of 2023, to create some awareness that it is mandatory to have ABC programmes in villages. Currently, there are not even any OPDs for large and small animals in gram panchayats. Applications have been sent to zilla parishad (ZP) of Raigad and also the district collector,'' said an activist.
