1. ABC: Innovation and Best Practice
PFA HYDERABAD
ABC: Innovation and Best Practice
15 July 2017

2. ABC – AR: SCIENTIFIC & HUMANE DOG POPULATION CONTROL

3. PROBLEM Too many dogs on the street Fighting, Biting and Chasing
Leads to human animal conflict

4. DOG POPULATION CONTROL IN ANCIENT DAYS
Dogs were killed by the civic bodies all over the country
It was an obligation on their part
For over 100 years we killed and only killed with no results

5. DOGS ON THE STREETS Where there is food there are animals
Vacuum doesn’t exist in nature
More the food more the animals

6. WHO FEEDS THE STRAYS? Our garbage feeds the strays
More the garbage more the number of dogs

7. SOLUTION
To protect and manage the population of our Indian dogs living on the streets Animal Birth Control Rules 2001, came into existence under sub-sections (1) (2) of Sec. 38 of the Prevention of Cruelty Animals Act, 1960
WHO recommended ABC- AR program for all developing countries with huge populations
Killing stray dogs violates these rules.

8. ESSENCE OF ABC Sterilise all dogs Protect them against rabies
Release them back in the same area
Program to be conducted in a systematic manner

9. BENEFITS OF ABC No more pups No fear of rabies
Sterilized dogs calm and friendly
Territorial nature ensures no new dogs in the area

10. HOW TO START THE ABC PROGRAM?
It is obligatory on the part of the civic bodies to stop killing & start ABC
Most major cities in India have a program going
If its a city with existing program
If the program needs to be started

11. WHAT YOU CAN DO Write to the head of the civic body
Meet them with a plan based on the SOPs of AWBI
Involve all the stake holders
Facilitate the starting of the campaign

12. WHERE TO BEGIN
Survey of the dog population: Calculate the average number of dogs and pups in each area
Selection of a predetermined ‘area’ by using the map of the city, and then moving in sequential order
Use a ‘periphery to centre’ approach
Use a female centred approach

13. FORMATION OF A COMMITTEE
A monitoring Committee consisting of following persons shall be constituted by local authority
Commissioner/Chief of the local authority, who shall be the ex-officio chairman of the Committee.
A representative of the Public Health Department of the local authority.
A representative of the Animal Welfare Department if any of the local authority.

14. A veterinary doctor
A representative of the district SPCA
At least two representatives from the AWOs operating within the said local authority.

15. ROLE OF THE STAKEHOLDERS: MONITORING COMMITTEES
Issue instructions for catching, transportation, sheltering, sterilisation, vaccination, treatment and release of sterilized, vaccinated or treated dogs.
Authorize veterinary doctor to decide on the need to put to sleep critically ill or fatally injured or rabid dogs in a painless method by using sodium pentathol.
Create public awareness, solicit co-operation and funding.

16. Provide guidelines to pet dog owners and commercial breeders.
Get a survey done of the number of street dogs by an independent agency.
Take steps for monitoring dog bite cases to ascertain the reasons of dog bite, the area where it took place and whether it was from a stray or a pet dog.
Keep a watch on the national and international development in the field of research pertaining to development of vaccines and cost effective methods of sterilization etc.

17. ROLE OF THE STAKEHOLDERS: LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Sterilise and immunise street dogs with the participation of animal welfare organisations, private individuals and the local authority
Establishment of a sufficient number of dogs pounds including animal kennels/shelters which may be managed by animal welfare organizations
Requisite number of dog vans with ramps for the capture and transportation of street dogs

18. An ambulance cum clinical van to be provided as mobile centre for sterilization and immunization
One driver and two trained dog catchers to be provided for each dog van
Incinerators to be installed for disposal of carcasses.
Periodic repair of shelter or pound
Reimbursement of expenses of sterilisation/immunisation to AWOs

19. ROLE OF THE STAKEHOLDERS: CAPs
PFA Hyderabad issues COMMUNITY ANIMAL PROTECTOR (CAP) Identity Cards to caretakers of animals, who can help with ABC through:
Awareness programmes in schools, colleges, companies and community centres
By bringing the dogs to the dog catching van or to the ABC centre.
Ensuring that all the dogs in their respective localities are vaccinated and sterilized.

20. ROLE OF THE STAKEHOLDERS: MEDIA
To sensitize, inform and educate the community about the effectiveness of ABC in reducing dog population and eradicating rabies

21. CAPTURING - STERILIZATION-IMMUNIZATION-RELEASE
Capturing of dogs shall be based on:
Specific complaints about nuisance or dog bites
General complaints
2. The dog capturing squad shall consist of the driver of the dog van
(ii) Two or more trained employees of the local authority who are trained in capturing of dogs.
(iii) One representative of any of the animal welfare organisation

22. All the dogs caught will be tagged for identification purposes and to ensure that the dogs are released in the same area after sterilisation and vaccination.
Only stipulated number of dogs, according to the ABiC Program target, shall be caught by the van.
A record of dogs captured shall be maintained in a register, mentioning therein the name of the area/locality, date and time of capture, names of persons in the dogs squad on that particular day

23. The dogs shall be captured by using humane methods prescribed under the provisions of Prevention of Cruelty (Capture of Animals) Rules,
The representative of the local authority or of the AWO will make announcements on a public address system that dogs are being captured from a specific area for the purpose of sterilization
The announcement may also briefly educate the residents of the area about the dog control program

24. The captured dogs shall be brought to the dog kennels/dog pounds managed by the Animal Welfare Organizations (AWOs).
The dogs will be sterilized/vaccinated under the supervision of the veterinarians of the hospital run by the SPCA, AWO or other dog shelters.
The dogs shall be released at the same place or locality from where they were captured and the date, time and place of their release shall be recorded.

25. At a time only one lot of dogs from one locality shall be brought for sterilization, immunization at one dog kennel or dog pound.
The dog kennel must have sufficient space for proper housing and free movement of dogs.
Adults and puppies must be housed separately
Adequate arrangement for drinking water and food shall be made for dogs while in captivity.
Female dogs found to be pregnant shall not undergo abortion and sterilization

26. RECORDING & IDENTIFICATION
Sterilized dogs shall be vaccinated before release and the ears of these dogs should either be clipped and/ or tattooed for being identified as sterilized or immunized dogs.
In addition, the dogs may be given token or nylon collars for identification and detailed records of such dogs shall be maintained.

27. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE
Garbage management: Link ABC Program to Swach Bharat. Cleaner the colony, lesser the number of dogs.
Every RWA (Resident Welfare Association) registered with the civic body to be enrolled into having Community Animal Protectors (CAPs).
Take the help of the Community Animal Protectors across the city in the implementation of the program. CAPs could be responsible for issues related to other animals too.

28. Strategy
Dog catching on the basis of complaints alone to be stopped and area wise catching to be made compulsory.
Releasing the dogs back into the same area is critical.
It is important to ensure that at least 90% of the dogs in any given area have to be sterilized for seeing any positive results.

29. LET US REITERATE….
ABC-AR is a proven program with 100% success rate. It is up to us to make it happen.
YES WE CAN!