Target: Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India
Goal: Reverse the reportedly unlawful mass removal of stray dogs from public institutions and immediately enforce the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, with humane sheltering, sterilization, and vaccination.
Recent directions reportedly require fencing public institutions and removing stray dogs from hospitals, transport hubs, and sports complexes, with relocation to shelters. Critics argue the order contradicts the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Animal Birth Control) Rules, 2023, which place sterilization, vaccination, and return-to-site at the heart of humane management. If carried out as stated, these removals could seemingly trigger large-scale displacement, overcrowded kennels, disease risks, and cruelty by omission. It also may push animals into unfamiliar territories where injuries and fatalities are more likely.
Observers further warn that capturing dogs without strict ABC compliance and transparent oversight could lead to distress, poor welfare outcomes, and breakdowns in herd immunity. The approach appears to ignore proven public health tools such as mass anti-rabies vaccination and targeted sterilization. It also burdens already strained shelters where dogs may languish for months. Such outcomes harm animals and communities.
India needs lawful, evidence-based control of street dog populations. Humane ABC programs reduce bites and rabies when implemented at scale. This petition therefore urges the Ministry to reaffirm the ABC Rules, pause any removals that allegedly conflict with them, issue clear operational SOPs, mandate public reporting, and fund rapid sterilization and vaccination drives. The goal is simple. Save lives and uphold the law.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Minister Rupala,
We respectfully urge the Ministry to halt any stray-dog removals that reportedly conflict with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Animal Birth Control) Rules, 2023, and to reaffirm lawful ABC implementation nationwide. The recent directions to fence institutions and relocate dogs appear to sidestep the ABC framework of sterilization, vaccination, and return-to-site. This risks overcrowded facilities, breakdowns in herd immunity, and potentially even cruelty by omission rather than humane, data-driven control.
We ask the Ministry to issue immediate guidance pausing relocations that allegedly contravene ABC Rules, to require transparent SOPs for any captures, and to publicly track outcomes. Please fund surge campaigns for mass vaccination and sterilization, expand shelter capacity only as a humane last resort, and ensure independent audits. These steps protect public health and animal welfare together.
We believe a clear recommitment to ABC will reduce bites, lower rabies risk, and prevent needless suffering. Kindly act now to align practice with India’s own rules and best science.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Pebble101
