The ABC (Animal Birth Control) programme is being run by the municipal corporations with the help of NGOs since 2001 but the programme seems to have failed as the stray dog population seems to have inceased manifold. And the man-dog and man-man conflict has risen in India and the situation is getting worse day by day.

This is primarily because the way the programme has been implemented was quite faulty.

The following are the gaps which need to be addressed:

1 There is hardly any awareness about the programme among the common man. The RWAs majority of them don't know that relocation of dogs is a punishable offence and that the only way they can solve the dog problem in their colony is by getting them sterilised, vaccinated & by ensuring 5 freedoms to them which is freedom from hunger, fear, pain, discomfort & freedom to express normal behaviour 

2 The caregivers or the people who feed the dogs also don't know what to do with the dogs. And they often face resistance from the other residents who are scared of dogs. There are constant fights in colonies and the situation has become very severe in recent days

3 The NGOs who carry out Sterilization were suppose to do right awarehess about ABC program & rabies but they failed in their duty as a result many innocent dogs are being killed, relocated due to fear of rabies 

4 Rabies is a deadly disease but one which can be easily prevented by getting dogs vaccinated but till now there is no  program at national level for eradication of rabies

ABC rules 2001 got revised in 2023 but the ground reality has not changed. ABC program is still being run in random & complaint centric manner without any awareness and people's participation. This will neither control dog population nor make India canine rabies free 

What should be done:

1 Bring people's (community) participation by bringing direct collaboration between the NGOs (ABC units) and caregivers / feeders & RWA . The RWA should take the help of the caregivers / feeders of their colony in getting the dogs picked for Sterilization and vaccination

2 Bring right awareness about rabies. Dogs do not bite without provocation and only a dog bite of a rabid dog causes rabies. A normal dog can be kissed, licked, patted, hugged and cajoled. A bite or a scratch from such a dog will never cause rabies. To ensure dogs are rabies free the municipal corporations should organize annual anti rabies vaccination program with the help and support of the caregivers / feeders. This way the children, adults and every person in the colony is safe.

3 Create awareness about dog behaviour & 5 freedoms to animals so that dogs do not bite or attack out of provocation which has become quite frequent nowadays

4 Media can play a very important role in Creating right awareness about dog behaviour, ABC rules, canine rabies & 5 freedoms to animals 

All we need is a positive approach & right measures to remove man-dog & man-man conflicts & make India canine rabies free & a dog loving country