Rules for Animal Birth Control (Dogs) 

The Supreme Court on Thursday said an impression should not be created that human life has lesser value than that of a dog, and stressed that stray dogs can be killed only in accordance with the Animal Birth Control Rules.

The Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, were framed as per the sub-section (1) of section 38 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (59 of 1960). A committee set up under the rules shall shall be responsible for planning and management of dog control programme in accordance with the rules.

All dogs shall be classified in one of the following two categories: (i) pet dogs, (ii) street dogs. The owner of pet dogs shall be responsible for the controlled breeding, immunisation, sterlisation and licensing in accordance with these rules and the law for the time being in force within a specified local area. (iii) The street dogs shall be sterilised and immunised by participation of animal welfare organisations, private individuals and the local authority

Sterilised dogs shall be vaccinated before release and the ears of these dogs should either be clipped and/ or tattooed for being identified as sterilised or immunised dogs. They may also be given token or nylon collars for identification and detailed records shall be maintained.

Incurably ill and mortally wounded dogs as diagnosed by a qualified veterinarian shall be euthanised in a humane manner by administering sodium pentathol for adult dogs and Thiopental Introperitoneal for puppies by a qualified veterinarian or euthanised in any other humane manner approved by Animal Welfare Board of India.

No dog shall be euthanised in the presence of another dog. It shall be ensured that the animal is dead, before disposal. On the receipt of complaints from the public, the dog squad of the local authority would catch such dogs, suspected to be rabid. The carcasses of these euthanised dogs shall be disposed of in an incinerator to be provided by the local authority.

A breeder must be registered with Animal Welfare Board of India and shall maintain full record of the number of pups born/died from individual bitches. He or she also must maintain record of the person buying the pups. He should ensure that the buyer has the required knowledge for the upkeep of the pups.