India continues to share 60% of the global burden of rabies, More than 96% rabies cases are attributed to bites /scratches/ licks of rabid dogs. Emphasis is laid on the treatment of dog bite victims with modem anti rabies vaccine rather than on the elimination of disease from the vector animal species, almost al­ways the dog, Rabies and dog control is on the low priority when compared to economic development. Lack of data on human rabies and dog bite in the past remained the reason for imperfection in dog population control in India, Consequently the Multi Centric Rabies survey, sponsored by WHO, was con­ducted by the Association for the Prevention and control of rabies in India (APCR!), with great finesse and dedication in July 2003, This survey reflects the fact that 20,000 rabies deaths and 17.4 millions in­cidence of dog bite occur annually in India. The in­cidence graph of dog bite is all the time high and alarming as there is one case of dog bite every 30 seconds. WHO recommended controlling the dog population through Animal Birth control - Anti ra­bies vaccination (ABC-AR) programme, This was based on the fact that after many years of dog de­struction by brutal methods, did not work either in controlling the street dog population or the incidences of rabies, Any reduction in the dog population by mass killings is rapidly compensated by more arriv­als from the adjacent areas and by better reproduc­tion and survival abilities provided to the animals by nature. Disappointed at the failure of the hundred year old catch and kill programme, the Ministry of Culture notified Animal Birth control (Dogs) Rules 2001 to control rabies and dog population. As per these rules, the street dogs shall be sterilized and im­munized by the participation of animal welfare orga­nization, private individual and the local authorities (Municipal Corporations / Committees / Panchyats). A monitoring committee shall be constituted by the local authority for Implementation of the ABC programme. This programme even after the lapse of so many years has not become a sustained programme except in few metros.

Sterilizing a few thousands (or even a few lacs) in a country with the street dog population of more than 25 millions is ostentatious. An un sterilized female bitch rears on an average four puppies in a year. Be­cause the outcome of rabies control programme was as dismal as ever, the Association for the Prevention and Control of Rabies in India (APCR) endeavored to achieve its goal "Rabies free India by 2020 but it kept dog control which is the essential component of rabies control programme, out of its purview.

Cognizant of alarming dog bite incidences (17.4 mil­lions annually) in India, Animal welfare Board of In­dia (AWBI) organized an integrated "National work­shop on control of Rabies in India" in September, 2006 in New Delhi, Experts of National and inter­national repute deliberated on the core issue of ra­bies and dog control in India, One group of experts discussed and formulated the recommendations on control of rabies in humans while the other group concentrated on making recommendations on dog sterilization and immunization. The thrust of one group is on making Rabies a notifiable disease, proper methodology of registration of dog bites and rabies cases, provision of strict cold chain system for anti­rabies vaccines, diagnostic laboratory at district level and exhaustive training for all concerned. The other group laid emphasis on intensification of ABC-AR programme, utilization of oral bait vaccine for not accessible dogs, undertaking enumeration of pet and street dogs, compulsory licensing and vaccination of all pet dogs and cats, vaccination and sterilization of 70-80% dog population, training of field vets in ABC surgery and increasing public awareness.

Unless and until the street dog population is put un­der control (by sterilization) and dogs (Pets & Street) are immunized, dog bite & rabies will-remain a threat for one and all. Animal birth control (Dogs) Rules 2001 notified by central government has not worked as evidenced by its meaningless outcome, because of the laxity on the part of local authorities, lack of grit and determination of animal welfare organizations, scanty funds, poor public cooperation and non­involvement of Animal husbandry department. This challenging task needs to be entrusted to an already existing network of veterinary institutions in India. Polio, AIDS and family planning are being effectively dealt with at national level. Why not Rabies and dog control? A veterinary hospital headed by a veteri­nary surgeon caters to the needs of animal popula­tion of 5-10 villages under its jurisdiction. With the active involvement cooperation of local bodies (Mu­nicipal Committee / Panchyat) a vet should be able to sterilize and vaccinate the entire population of his area within a few months. At sub-divisional level where there are more dogs, veterinary polyclinic with 3-4 veterinary specialists can do the needful. All that is needed is to make veterinary surgeons proficient in the surgical technique of sterilization. The whole process from catching to sterilization and aftercare should be incentive based.

There should be compulsory licensing / registration of all pet dogs. Funds raised though through this ex­ercise can be utilized for ABC-AR programme. Enu­meration can well be taken care by the statistical wing of Animal husbandry department.

Diagnostic centers should be set up in at least at all the Medical and Veterinary colleges. Does it make sense to immunize 25 million stray dogs without car­rying out immunogenicity and bio-efficiency study of the vaccine used? Antibody test should at least be performed on the few randomly selected dogs follow­ing mass anti rabies vaccination. The possibility of poor immune responder under field condi­tions can not be ruled out.

100% immunization against rabies is possible only through oral rabies vaccine in bait form and it is heartening that Animal welfare board has a plan in the offing for the same.