The Centre has notified the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules to control the population of stray dogs even as 100 deaths were reported last year due to rabies, Rajya Sabha was informed today.
"As per data made available by Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI), deaths due to rabies during the last three years in the country were 132 deaths in 2013, 104 (provisional) in 2014 and 98 (provisional) in 2015.
"As informed by Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) under the Environment Ministry, the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 have been notified by government for sterilization to control the street dog population and immunization to prevent rabies, to be implemented by the local authorities with the help of animal welfare organisations," Health Minister J P Nadda said in a written reply.
He said the government is implementing 'National Rabies Control Programme' approved during 12th five year plan, with an objective to prevent human deaths due to rabies.
Elaborating on the programme, he said it has two components, human and animal.
"The human component is being implemented in all states and Union Territories and National Centre for Disease Control is the nodal agency for it.
"The animal component is being pilot tested in Haryana and Chennai. The Animal Welfare Board of India under Environment Ministry is the nodal agency for this component," he said.
Noting that health is a state subject, he said it is primarily the responsibility of state governments to ensure the availability of anti-rabies vaccine.
"However, under the National Health Mission (NHM), funds are provided to states and UTs to strengthen their healthcare system including support for anti-rabies vaccines based on the requirement posed by the states in their Programme Implementation Plans," he added.
