Congress' Karti P Chidambaram meets PM Modi to raise alarm over stray dog crisis

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Karti P Chidambaram met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his Parliament House office on Friday to discuss the escalating health and safety concerns posed by growing stray dog population.
"India has over 6.2 crore stray dogs, making it one of the largest populations globally," Chidambaram said in a post on X after the meeting. "With the country accounting for 36 percent of the world’s rabies-related deaths, the situation demands immediate attention."
He pointed to the fact that while the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, were introduced to regulate stray dog populations, implementation has been weak. "I raised concerns about the inadequacy of the current system, where local bodies lack the resources, funding, and technology to tackle this issue effectively. It’s clear that urgent action is required," he added to his statement.
To address the issue, Chidambaram further revealed that he proposed the creation of a National Task Force to develop a "holistic, humane, and scientific solution" in collaboration with local authorities. He also stressed the need for dedicated shelter homes and a long-term strategy to tackle the problem.