3 Jan 2026·Source: The Indian Express

2 min

Social IssuesPolity & GovernancePolity & GovernanceEDITORIAL

Street Dog Management: A Call for Compassion, Science, and Community Engagement.

Resolving street dog issues requires compassion, scientific methods, and community involvement, not cruelty.

Photo by Thiago Santos

Editorial Analysis

The author strongly advocates for a humane, scientific, and compassionate approach to street dog management in India, emphasizing the effectiveness of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program combined with vaccination, and rejecting cruel methods like culling.

Main Arguments:

The street dog issue in India is complex and often mishandled due to fear and misinformation, leading to cruel and ineffective practices like culling, which are not supported by scientific evidence.
The Animal Birth Control (ABC) program, coupled with anti-rabies vaccination, is the most humane and scientifically proven method for managing street dog populations and controlling rabies, as endorsed by the Supreme Court and WHO.
Effective street dog management requires active community participation, education on responsible pet ownership, and fostering compassion towards animals, rather than resorting to violence or cruelty.

Counter Arguments:

The article directly counters the popular demand for culling or relocating street dogs, arguing these methods are ineffective, inhumane, and often exacerbate the problem.

Conclusion

A sustainable and ethical solution to the street dog problem in India lies in consistently implementing ABC and vaccination programs, fostering community involvement, and promoting compassion and reason over fear and cruelty.

Policy Implications

Calls for stricter implementation of ABC rules, increased funding for vaccination and sterilization programs, and public awareness campaigns on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.

The article addresses the complex and often emotionally charged issue of street dog management in India, advocating for a humane and scientific approach over culling or cruel methods. D.R. Mehta argues that the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program, coupled with vaccination, is the most effective and ethical solution.

He emphasizes the importance of community participation, education, and responsible pet ownership. The editorial criticizes the fear-driven narrative that often leads to violence against animals and highlights the Supreme Court's stance on animal welfare. This topic is relevant for Social Issues, Governance, and Ethics.

Key Facts

Animal Birth Control (ABC) program is the most effective method

Supreme Court has upheld ABC rules

WHO recommends ABC for rabies control

UPSC Exam Angles

Governance and Public Policy (implementation of ABC, role of local bodies)

Social Justice and Welfare (human-animal conflict, animal rights, public health)

Ethics and Values (compassion, responsible citizenship, ethical dilemmas in policy-making)

Constitutional Provisions (Fundamental Duties related to animal welfare, judicial interpretations)

Visual Insights

Evolution of Street Dog Management & Animal Welfare in India

This timeline illustrates the key legal and policy milestones in India's approach to street dog management and broader animal welfare, highlighting the shift towards humane and scientific methods.

The management of street dogs in India has evolved from ad-hoc measures to a structured, humane approach guided by legislation and judicial pronouncements. The PCA Act laid the foundation, with subsequent ABC Rules providing specific guidelines, continuously refined to address implementation challenges and uphold animal welfare principles.

1960Enactment of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, establishing the legal framework for animal welfare in India.
199273rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts empower local bodies (Panchayats, Municipalities) to address local issues, including public health and animal management.
2001Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 notified under the PCA Act, providing a legal framework for humane street dog population control through sterilization and vaccination.
2014Supreme Court's landmark judgment in A. Nagaraja & Ors. vs. Union of India & Ors. (Jallikattu case), emphasizing animals' right to live free from cruelty and upholding the spirit of the PCA Act.
2023Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying notifies the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, replacing the 2001 rules with updated and more detailed guidelines for ABC programs.
2023Supreme Court upholds the validity of laws permitting Jallikattu, Kambala, and bullock cart races, while reiterating the need for strict adherence to rules preventing cruelty.
2025-2026Continued focus on effective implementation of ABC Rules 2023, public awareness campaigns for responsible pet ownership, and community engagement to foster human-animal coexistence.

More Information

Background

The issue of street dog management has been a long-standing challenge in India, often leading to human-animal conflict, public health concerns (rabies), and ethical debates. Historically, culling was a common practice, but this has been increasingly challenged by animal welfare advocates and legal interventions.

Latest Developments

The current discourse, as highlighted by the editorial, advocates for a humane and scientific approach, primarily through the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program coupled with vaccination. This aligns with Supreme Court directives and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. There's a growing emphasis on community participation, responsible pet ownership, and education to foster a compassionate coexistence.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding animal welfare and management in India: 1. The Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, are statutory rules framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. 2. Article 51A(g) of the Constitution of India mandates compassion for living creatures as a fundamental duty of every citizen. 3. The Supreme Court of India has consistently endorsed culling as a primary method for controlling street dog populations in cases of public health emergencies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.1 and 2 only
C.2 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is correct. The Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, were indeed framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, to regulate the management of street dog populations through sterilization and immunization. Statement 2 is correct. Article 51A(g) is a fundamental duty that states 'to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.' Statement 3 is incorrect. The Supreme Court of India has consistently upheld the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, advocating for sterilization and immunization as the humane and scientific method for street dog population control, rather than culling. It has generally discouraged culling except in very specific, extreme circumstances and with strict protocols.