India, March 31 -- A firm assigned by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) to carry out vaccination and sterilisation of stray dogs lacks mandatory project recognition from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), members of the statutory body have alleged, saying the agency is operating in violation of Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.

Anjali Gopalan, a member of AWBI, said no agency can operate without a project recognition certificate. "An agency must obtain this certificate to ensure that proper procedures are followed and adequate infrastructure is in place for the sterilisation and vaccination of dogs, safeguarding them from any cruelty. Until the certificate is issued by AWBI, no agency is authorised to sterilise, vaccinat...