Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)

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7-Dec-2022: Animal Welfare Board of India issues advisories with regard to stray dogs and pet dogs

In recent times, it has been brought to the notice of the Animal Welfare Board of India ( AWBI) that atrocities against the dogs, feeders of dogs and care givers and conflicts among urban residents are increasing day by day. This could be happening because of sporadic incidences of dog bites taking place in the cities of Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Noida, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur etc.

The AWBI clarified that the AWBI has issued the following advisories with regard to the stray dogs and pet dogs which are available on AWBI Website i.e. www.awbi.in:

  1. Pet Dogs and Street Dogs Circular dated 26.02.2015
  2. Circular to all DGPs of all States/UTs regarding harassment to Citizens showing compassion to animals dated 25-08-2015 and 28.10.2015
  3. Advisory to initiate necessary action for rescue and rehabilitation of stray animals dated 12-07-2018
  4. Circular to all District Magistrate for effective implementation of Animal Birth Control programmes dated 18.08.2020
  5. Permission for Animal Birth Control/Anti Rabies Vaccination (ABC/AR) Programme to AWBI recognized AWOs/NGOs dated 25.02.2021
  6. Advisory to identify sufficient number of feeding spots for stray dogs in every district and to properly implement the (AWBI Revised Guidelines on Pet dogs and street dogs) dated 03.03.2021
  7. Request to initiate action on animal welfare issues dated 28.06.2021 related to reduce man animal conflict and maintain peace and harmony in the society or area.
  8. Request to initiate necessary action on the following points regarding animal welfare issues dated 28.06.2021reiterating the compliance of the various advisories and guidelines.
  9. Effective implementation of the provisions of the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 for sterilization and immunization of the stray dogs dated 01.07.2021
  10. Advisory for implementation of Animal Birth Control Programme dated 17.12.2021
  11. Request to properly implement and circulate the standard protocol for the adoption of community animals dated 17.05.2022
  12. Guidelines for use of Muzzle on Dogs and care of community dogs dated 17.08.2022
  13. Mass killing of dogs and stray dogs menace dated 10.10.2022

The Central Government has framed the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rule, 2001 which is to be implemented by the local authority to control the population of stray dogs. The main focus of the rules is on anti-rabies vaccination of stray dogs and neutering of stray dogs as means of population stabilization. However, it has been noticed that there is lack of proper implementation of Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001 by the Municipal Corporation / Local Bodies and instead attempts are made for relocation of dogs from the urban areas.

The  Supreme Court has in various orders specifically mentioned that relocation of dogs cannot be permitted. The Municipal Corporations need to implement the ABC and Anti Rabies Program jointly. The RWA also cannot deny feeding of dogs or creation of feeding spot in those areas where these dogs are residing. The Animal feeders/ care givers are feeding these animals from their own resources and out of Compassion. The Constitution of India has allowed the Citizen of India to do so under 51 A (g). Therefore, the feeder cannot be prevented from feeding the animals or care giving following the AWBI Advisories. Therefore, all the RWAs and Citizen of India are requested not to take any kind of adverse action against the feeders of dogs, nor to relocate or resort to poisoning of dogs or other atrocities which is against the law of the land.

Background: Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) is a Statutory Body established under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960 (PCA Act). The AWBI is an advisory body to the Central Government and State Government and also looks after the matter of implementation of PCA Act, 1960 and the Rules framed under this Act.

6-Aug-2021: Cruelty Towards Animals

The Animal Welfare Board of India, a Statutory Body constituted under Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960 is ever vigilant on the reported cruelty cases on animals and takes immediate actions as per the provisions of the Prevention of cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The Animal Welfare Board of India takes cognizance upon receipt or knowledge of any incidence of cruelty to animal including street dogs with the concern jurisdictional authorities to take proper action and to punish violators of any such Act.

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) advises the State Government on the issues related to animal welfare including cruelty meted out to animals. The Board has issued several advisories and circulars to sensitize and create awareness on the matters related to stray animals, man-animal conflict issues with regard to Residents Welfare Associations (RWA). The Board has also issued circulars for observing Animal Welfare Fortnight, Rabies Day, and World Animal Day for sensitizing the States to check the cruelty issues.

The AWBI conducts training programme for Honorary Animal Welfare Officer to make them well versed with the provision of the Prevention of cruelty to Animals Act, 1960and various animal welfare activities. The AWBI also creates awareness in the society to prevent unnecessary pain or suffering to animals and also to be compassionate and kind toward the fellow beings. The Animal Welfare Board of India is regularly addressing the State Governments/Union Territories to establish / re-constitute the State Animal Welfare Boards and District Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (DSPCA) in every district to address the animal welfare issues at grass root level.

3-Aug-2021: Crime against Animals

The Government does not maintain any crime records. However, the Animal Welfare Board of India maintains a data of complaints on reported cruelty to animals. The Wildlife Crime Bureau  also deals with the violation of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

The data on crimes relating to cruelty to animals maintained by the Law enforcement authority of the concerned States and Union Territories. The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) in their annual report publishes the details of the complaints received in regard to the animal cruelty along with the action taken. The number of complaints received in the Animal Welfare Board of India regarding cruelty to animals are forwarded to the concerned States /Union Territories for taking necessary action.

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) is a statutory body. It is an advisory body to the Central and State Government on the issues related to animal welfare including cruelty meted out to animals.

The implementations of the statutory laws are primary duty of the State Government as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. The State Government shall prevent, detect, register and investigate crime and prosecute the criminals. The AWBI has been writing regularly to the State Governments/Union Territories to prevent cruelty to animals and implement the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and its Rules effectively.

The AWBI is periodically addressing the letters to the State Governments/UTs regarding the complaints received and request them to take necessary action against the offenders as per law. The AWBI is also regularly addressing the State /Union Territories to establish or re- constitute the State Animal Welfare Boards and District Society to Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (DSPCA) in every district to prevent unnecessary pain or suffering to animals.

The AWBI has its own number i.e. 09650609880 and email id This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to report the case of cruelty to animals / distressed animals or any other issues pertaining to welfare of the animals for immediate necessary help.

5-Mar-2018: AWBI headquarters shifted to Haryana

The headquarters of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has been shifted from Chennai to Haryana's Ballabhgarh for better coordination between the environment ministry and the board.

"Rule 3 of the Animal Welfare Board (Administrative) Rules, 1962 reads as "The Headquarter of the Board shall be at New Delhi or at such other place as the central government, may, after consultation with the Board direct".

After consultation with the board, the headquarters of the AWBI has been shifted to Haryana for better coordination between the ministry and the AWBI for carrying out the animal welfare activities.