The Stray News : India is home to one of the largest stray animal populations in the world, with millions of dogs, cats, and cattle living on the streets. The Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Parshottam Rupala in the Lok Sabha informed that as per 2019 census, total population of stray dog and stray cattle in the country was 203.31 lakh. According to estimates from the Livestock Census 2019 (Government of India), there are approximately 1.5 crore stray dogs and over 50 lakh stray cattle across the country. These animals face significant challenges, including lack of food, disease, abuse, and exposure to harsh environmental conditions. Despite laws, schemes, and guidelines, the effective management of stray populations remains a major challenge.
This report evaluates the types of stray animals in India, analyzes current government policies, and identifies gaps with suggestions for effective management strategies.
Types of Stray Animals in India (with data)
1. Stray Dogs
- Population: ~1.53 crore stray dogs (Livestock Census 2019).
- Types:
- Indian Pariah Dogs (Desi Dogs): The indigenous free-roaming dogs, highly resilient.
- Indie-Mix Dogs: Crossbreeds between local and foreign breeds.
- Abandoned Pedigree Dogs: Breeds like Labrador, Husky, and German Shepherd discarded by owners.
- Community Dogs: Cared for by local residents, not officially owned.
2. Stray Cats
- While the exact population is unaccounted in official census data, estimates suggest several lakh stray cats, especially in urban and coastal areas.
- Types:
- Indian Domestic Cats: Hardy and adaptive street cats.
- Feral Cats: Completely wild, rarely interact with humans.
- Abandoned Pedigree Cats: Persian, Siamese, and other breeds abandoned by owners.
3. Stray Cattle
- Population: ~50 lakh (as per Livestock Census 2019).
- Cattle are commonly abandoned after their productivity declines, especially in urban and semi-urban areas.
- Cattle often block roads, enter markets, and forage in garbage dumps.
4. Other Stray Animals
- Pigs: Found in garbage dumps, mainly in slum areas.
- Goats and Sheep: Freely grazing animals, sometimes abandoned.
- Monkeys: Especially in Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and urban hill towns, they create disturbances but are considered wildlife rather than strays.
Government Policies and Programs
1. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
- Protects all animals from cruelty.
- Mandates humane treatment of stray animals.
- Amendment Proposal (2023): Proposes stricter punishments, including imprisonment for severe animal cruelty cases.
2. Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme (2023 Revised Rules)
- Focus: Sterilization and vaccination of stray dogs.
- States and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are legally obligated to carry out ABC programs with AWBI monitoring.
- Focused on High Stray Population Zones (HSPZ) like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
3. National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP)
- Under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, focuses on mass dog vaccination campaigns to reduce rabies deaths.
- Provides technical and financial assistance to states for rabies surveillance and awareness campaigns.
4. Livestock Census (2019) and Cattle Management
- Provides population data and policy recommendations for stray cattle management, including:
- Setting up Gaushalas and shelters.
- Encouraging adoption of unproductive cattle by NGOs and temples.
5. Smart Cities Mission – Animal Welfare Integration
- Encourages smart city projects to include animal welfare measures such as designated feeding zones, better waste management, and ABC facilities.
Gaps in Current Policies
1. Lack of Uniform Implementation
- Despite the revised ABC Rules (2023), many municipalities lack capacity, trained personnel, and infrastructure.
- Rural areas, particularly in Tier-3 towns and villages, have almost zero ABC coverage.
2. Inadequate Funding
- Most municipal budgets for stray management are either non-existent or inadequate.
- Only 10% of urban local bodies (ULBs) have dedicated funds for animal welfare (AWBI 2023 Data).
3. Abandoned Pets & Poor Ownership Tracking
- Lack of a pet licensing system leads to uncontrolled breeding and abandonment.
- No unified pet microchipping policy exists at the national level.
4. Public Awareness Deficit
- Rabies awareness campaigns are limited to urban centers.
- Misconceptions around dog bites, rabies treatment, and the legal rights of feeders lead to frequent human-animal conflicts.
5. Limited Adoption Initiatives
- While adoption of Indian breeds is promoted by several NGOs, there is no nationwide campaign to encourage stray adoptions.
- Focus is still heavily on foreign breeds in the pet industry.
Recommendations
1. Expand ABC Coverage
- Scale up sterilization programs to include semi-urban and rural areas.
- Set annual targets at the district level, with regular audits by State Animal Welfare Boards.
2. Stray Animal Registration & Tracking
- Launch a National Digital Animal Database (NDAD) for stray dogs and cattle.
- Ensure microchipping and GPS tagging for all sterilized animals.
3. Promote Adoption of Indian Breeds
- Create national campaigns like “Adopt Desi, Save Lives”.
- Offer tax incentives for individuals and businesses adopting Indian breeds.
4. Feeding Zones & Community Animal Welfare Boards
- Identify safe feeding zones in each ward to reduce conflicts.
- Form community animal welfare boards at ward levels to monitor feeding, sterilization, and conflict resolution.
5. Stricter Penalties for Pet Abandonment
- Amend laws to criminalize abandonment, with fines up to ₹1 lakh and potential jail time.
6. Smart Waste Management to Reduce Stray Reliance on Garbage
- Install stray-proof garbage bins.
- Ensure segregated waste collection, reducing availability of food waste for strays.
Effective management requires a combination of strong policy enforcement, public participation, scientific interventions, and adequate funding. Government agencies, local bodies, NGOs, and communities must work together to create a humane and sustainable stray management ecosystem.
