The Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department (MA&UD) on Sunday (November 16, 2025) directed all municipal commissioners to focus on animal birth control (ABC) and anti-rabies (ARV) vaccination programs to minimize dog attacks and control their population.
According to a department press release, MA&UD Principal Secretary S. Suresh Kumar and Municipal Director P. Sampath Kumar have issued a set of instructions to all municipal commissioners to strictly comply with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023 and the Supreme Court orders of November 7, 2025.
All city commissioners were instructed to identify aggressive or rabid dogs and keep them in separate storms or shelters. The state government will start setting up pounds for aggressive animals in a phased manner, starting with city corporations, the report said.
The population of stray dogs in 123 ULBs is estimated at 5.15 lakh. 2,24,732 stray dogs have been sterilized in all ULBs as on June 1, 2024. An additional 1,36,656 dogs have been sterilized since then. A total of 197 trained dog handlers and dog catchers were placed in the ULB. While 45 ULBs have established ABC centers with infrastructure, including operating theaters and kennels, many others are following suit, the release added.
The Government of AP constituted State Committee for Animal Birth Control and Monitoring and Local Committees for Implementation and Monitoring of Animal Birth Control at ULB level, ensuring representation of multiple departments from MA&UD, Health, Animal Husbandry, Panchayat raj and Rural Development and members from Animal Welfare Council of India as well as State Animal Welfare Council.
The MA&UD Chief Secretary directed the Municipal Commissioners to prepare action plans with daily/weekly sterilization targets, select technically competent agencies holding valid Project Recognition Certificates under ABC Rules, 2023, conduct a stray dog population survey, prioritize public safety and also organize special drives for sterilization and vaccination.
The government has also started awareness programs in Anganwadis and schools to ensure the safety of children. The chief secretary also directed the commissioners to identify and secure institutional areas such as schools, hospitals, bus depots, railways and sports complexes and set up feeding zones. Mr. Suresh Kumar warned that any laxity or delay in the implementation of the framework would be dealt with severely.
Published – 16 Nov 2025 18:46 IST
