| The Animal Birth Control
Programme and Anti-Rabies Vaccination Programme is
recommended by the World health Organisation, as one
of the methods for Humane Control of stray dogs.
CUPA & the ABC/ARV Programme:
CUPA in cooperation with the Bangalore City Corporation
is managing the largest number of wards of Bangalore
city and handling over 2100 dogs for the programme
every month.
The WHO report on Stray Dog Management, published
in 1996 states that control of stray population by
destruction alone is a waste of precious resources.
In the recent Rabies Seminar conducted in Bangalore
on March 18th & 19th 2005, Dr. F-X Meslin, World
Health Organisation, Geneva has commented in his key
note address, Global scenario of Rabies & gist
of WHO expert consultation, 2004 ‘stressed on
control of rabies in dogs by mass immunization as
the most important single measure. The encouraging
results obtained by the ABC programmes are acknowledged
by the Committee.’
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The ABC/ARV Programme
is effective since DOGS ARE TERRITORIAL IN NATURE
AND DO NOT ALLOW OTHER DOGS TO ENTER THEIR TERRITORY
AND THEY THEMSELVES DO NOT BREED.
The sterilised
and vaccinated dog is identifiable with a U-shape
notch on its ear.
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Legal Aspects :
Article 51(A)(g) of the Indian Constitution clearly
states that it is fundamental Duty of all citizens
to show compassion for all living creatures.
Animal Birth Control Rules (2001) issued under the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,1960,(PCA Act)
prescribes sterilisation of all healthy dogs ad killing
of sick and rabid dogs. These rules override all other
laws, which are opposed to animals.
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Effective disposal of waste food and garbage is a
very important measure to control stray dog population.
However, it is important to feed the sterilised ad
vaccinated stray dogs. These sterilised dogs create
a rabies free ring around the area.
Responsible Ownership :
Pet Owners are advised to sterilised and vaccinate
their pet dogs and not leave or abandon their pets
on the streets under any circumstance.
Awareness and Community participation:
More awareness programmes are conducted at all levels
to educate people on the ABC/ARV Programme dealing
with dog bites etc. Residents are encouraged to actively
participate in the Programme by helping NGOs to identify
dogs for spay-neuter and vaccinations.
Intensifying the Programme:
With the cooperation of the BMP, NGOs like CUPA, SPCA,
ARF and others have been given specific areas in Bangalore
to sterilise & immunize some stray dogs and remove
unfit stray dogs.
Statistics:
The number of stray dogs as in census year 2000 was
70,000. Dog bites and rabies cases have decreased
in areas where ABC Programme is carried out. The population
of stray dogs is also on the gradual decline where
ABC is done. It has reduced to 56000 in Bangalore
city limits as per the census conducted by Animal
Husbandry Dept. in January 2004.
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