Will We Keep Battling Stray Dogs

India is grappling with a growing stray dog population, posing not just a public safety issue but a serious health crisis as well.

- H Askofenwala

According to government data, stray dog attacks result in over 20,000 deaths annually, with more than 2.8 million cases of dog bites reported each year. These alarming figures underscore the gravity of the problem that is spiraling out of control.

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS THE ECONOMIC BURDEN

The most vulnerable to these attacks are the poor, with 75% of the victims coming from low-income households, and a staggering 80.3% of these cases are reported in rural areas. Children are nearly twice as likely to be bitten compared to adults, making this issue even more distressing.

Each dog bite incident leads to an average loss of 2.2 human workdays, with medical expenses amounting to approximately Rs252 per case. For the poorest citizens, this adds significant financial stress. When extrapolated across annual dog bite cases, the cost balloons to around 2,000 crores.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR STRAY DOG PROTECTION