Kerala plans to establish animal birth control (ABC) centres in all 152 block panchayats as the state expands its response to stray dogs, rising dog-bite cases and rabies. Local Self-Government Minister K M Shaji told the assembly that the programme will combine permanent and portable facilities with shelters, operating procedures and stronger local-body coordination.
At present, 21 permanent ABC centres and one portable centre are functioning in Kerala, according to the minister’s statement cited by the Times of India. Construction of nine more permanent centres has been completed, while work on another nine is under way. The Animal Husbandry Department is also taking steps to procure seven additional portable ABC units.
The proposed network is intended to increase the capacity of local authorities to manage the stray-dog population through sterilisation and related interventions. The expansion comes against the backdrop of 2.18 lakh dog-bite cases and 14 rabies deaths recorded in Kerala up to September this year, as reported in the assembly statement.
The government also plans to establish shelters for stray dogs at the local-body level in accordance with directions of the Supreme Court. A high-level committee has been constituted to monitor shelter construction, the appointment of nodal officers, the functioning of helplines and feeding points, and coordination among enforcement squads.
Kerala has approved a standard operating procedure for euthanasia in specific cases. The procedure covers stray dogs that are incurably ill, fatally injured, confirmed or suspected to have rabies, or that attack people without provocation. Implementation will be handled through Stray Dog Management Committees headed by the chairpersons of the respective local bodies.
The programme also includes measures aimed at regulating owned dogs. The government is working on rules for licensing pet dogs and controlling breeding, while a handbook on stray-dog management is being prepared for local bodies. The Kerala Institute of Local Administration will conduct a workshop for elected representatives and officials on the guidelines and procedures.
The minister said Stray Dog Management Committees had been formed in all local bodies. In Thrissur district, where two ABC centres are currently functioning, authorities are taking steps to implement the approved euthanasia procedure in cases that meet the stated criteria. The expansion will therefore depend not only on constructing facilities, but also on local bodies maintaining them and coordinating the supporting services outlined by the government.
