Dog Bite Incidents Continue Unabated

February 10, 2026

In recent days, numerous petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court regarding the increasing number of incidents involving aggressive stray dogs on the streets. The judiciary has repeatedly warned that such stray dogs should not be left unattended in the name of animal welfare. It has been observed that along with the development of metropolitan areas and cities, there has been a surprising increase in the number of stray dogs.

Deprived of food and shelter, these stray dogs become ferocious. They do not hesitate to bite people on the streets and in parks. The Supreme Court has repeatedly warned the administration to build shelters for dogs and to sterilize them.

People must be protected from the deadly disease of rabies spread by dog bites. Why should people live in fear of death after being bitten by a dog? While the administration has acknowledged this issue in many places, no significant work has been done so far. Neither new shelters are being built, nor have new staff been hired to sterilize these stray dogs. Take Jalandhar, a major city in Punjab, for example; the statistics are shocking. More than 55 dog bite incidents occur there every day. At least 35 patients visit the OPD daily, and 20 people require emergency treatment.

The municipal corporation claims to spend Rs 1.40 crore annually on dog sterilization, yet the number of dogs continues to increase, and the number of dog bite cases is also rising. The number of people seeking treatment for rabies is not decreasing. This is not just the situation in one district; the situation is similar in all major cities. The government has started providing anti-rabies vaccines at the Aam Aadmi Clinics (government-run clinics) opened in various locations so that patients do not have to wander around looking for them.

On average, 190 patients receive vaccinations at these Aam Aadmi Clinics every month. This number is separate from the treatment provided at private OPDs and emergency services. The situation in every city indicates that this problem cannot be ignored in the name of animal welfare. The increasing number of stray dogs roaming freely and biting people has made it difficult for ordinary citizens to venture out onto the streets. Mere promises will no longer suffice; concrete steps must be taken to address this issue. Raising awareness and educating the public is also crucial.