Due to rising cases of dog bite incidents across Uttar Pradesh, the state government has rolled out tough new measures. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to take strict action against stray dogs found attacking people.

Under the new rules, a dog that bites once will be detained for 10 days, while a repeat offender may face life-long confinement in an animal centre.

According to an order issued by Amrit Abhijat, Principal Secretary of Urban Development, if a stray dog bites a person for the first time, it will be caught and kept for 10 days at an Animal Birth Control (ABC) Centre.

During this time, the dog will receive treatment, be vaccinated against rabies, and be kept under observation. Before release, the dog will be fitted with a microchip to track its behaviour in the future.

Detailed health and behaviour records, including video monitoring, will also be maintained at the ABC Centre.

If the same dog bites someone again, the case will be investigated by a three-member team consisting of a livestock officer, a representative from the local municipal body, and a member of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

If the team finds that the dog was not provoked to attack, the animal will be kept at the ABC Centre for life, unless someone officially adopts it.

The order also makes it clear that action will be taken only if the bite victim provides a treatment certificate from a government hospital. Once this certificate is submitted, the Municipal Corporation’s Animal Husbandry Department will arrange for the dog to be caught and sent to the ABC Centre.