The Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023
The Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023 were notified under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, replacing the earlier ABC (Dog) Rules of 2001. They set out how local bodies manage community dog populations humanely.
The core approach is often summarised as catch, sterilise, vaccinate, and release:
- Community dogs are picked up humanely, sterilised, and vaccinated against rabies.
- After recovery, they are returned to the same area they were picked up from.
- Sterilised dogs are usually marked, commonly with an ear notch, so they aren’t caught again.
- Local bodies are responsible for running ABC programmes, working with recognised animal welfare organisations.
Returning dogs to their own area matters. Dogs are territorial, and a stable, sterilised, vaccinated population keeps new, unvaccinated dogs from moving in.
Feeding under the rules
The rules make resident welfare associations, apartment owner associations, or local body representatives responsible for arranging designated feeding spots. Read more in our guide to feeding community dogs.
The Supreme Court stray dog case, 2025–2026
In July 2025, the Supreme Court took up the issue of dog bites and rabies on its own motion. The directions changed several times:
- August 2025. An initial order directed that dogs in Delhi-NCR be moved to shelters and not released. A three-judge bench then modified this on 22 August 2025: dogs are to be sterilised, dewormed, vaccinated, and returned to the same area, except rabid or aggressive dogs. Civic bodies were directed to set up dedicated feeding spaces, and the case was extended to all states.
- November 2025. The Court directed that dogs be removed from institutional premises, such as schools, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands, and railway stations, and moved to shelters after sterilisation and vaccination, without being returned to those premises.
- 19 May 2026. In its final judgment, the Court upheld the Animal Welfare Board of India’s standard operating procedure for ABC programmes and issued directions to states, union territories, and civic authorities. It permitted legally permissible measures, including euthanasia, for rabid, incurably ill, or demonstrably dangerous dogs.
What this means for you
- Concerned about a dog? Contact your local municipal body. Don’t try to relocate dogs yourself.
- Caring for community dogs? Feed at designated spots, keep vaccination and sterilisation records, and work with your RWA.
- Cruelty is still an offence. Harming animals is punishable under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
This is a summary for general information, not legal advice. Court directions have changed several times, and details may vary by state and city. Check the judgment text and your local body’s current rules. Sources: Supreme Court Observer, Animal Welfare Board of India.