Uttar Pradesh government releases funds for stray dog control centres in 10 districts

Lucknow ( Raghwendra Pratap Singh) : Following a recent directive from the Supreme Court of India emphasising the need for effective control and management of stray dog populations, the Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Department has initiated action by releasing funds for the establishment of Animal Birth Control (ABC) Centres in 10 districts across the state.

Officials said the move is aimed at controlling the rising stray dog population and reducing incidents of dog bites through scientific sterilisation and vaccination programmes. Under the initiative, districts including Hardoi, Lalitpur, Bulandshahr, Fatehpur, Maharajganj, Chitrakoot, Kannauj, Farrukhabad, Baghpat and Ambedkar Nagar will receive financial assistance for setting up dedicated ABC centres.

According to the department, an amount of around ₹2.79 crore has been sanctioned for each district to create infrastructure and operational facilities for animal birth control measures. The centres will undertake sterilisation, anti-rabies vaccination, treatment and rehabilitation of stray dogs in accordance with the Animal Birth Control Rules and Supreme Court guidelines.

In its recent observations, the Supreme Court had asked state governments and urban local bodies to ensure proper implementation of animal birth control programmes. The apex court emphasised that municipalities must create adequate infrastructure, allocate funds and coordinate with veterinary departments and animal welfare agencies to address the issue in a humane and scientific manner