Delhi Announces Comprehensive Strategy for Stray Dog Management and Rabies Prevention

In the wake of a Supreme Court ruling, Delhi is gearing up for a significant effort to manage its stray dog population and combat rabies. A crucial meeting of Delhi’s animal welfare board was held on Wednesday, leading to the announcement of a series of measures. These include a program to microchip one million stray dogs, the regulation of pet shops, and the implementation of a Rabies Action Plan. The Rabies Action Plan will involve digitized vaccination records, district-level monitoring committees, and focused strategies to reduce dog bite incidents. Pet shops will be subject to stricter oversight and must register with a dedicated monitoring committee. The meeting also addressed funding and governance, including the establishment of committees and staff recruitment. Awareness campaigns will target schools, led by the Education department, and markets, overseen by a market monitoring committee. Officials are tasked with developing a detailed advisory on rabies control, microchipping, pet shop registration, and awareness campaigns, with a strong emphasis on social media for wider public engagement.