As protests continue in Delhi against the Supreme Court’s order to relocate stray dogs to shelter homes, data sheds light on the scale of the public health crisis linked to unvaccinated street dogs. Each year millions of people in India are bitten by dogs, and thousands die from rabies, a preventable but deadly disease.
While animal rights activists argue that relocation violates the rights of stray animals, public health experts warn that the rising number of dog bites and rabies cases demands urgent and balanced action.
According to a written reply in the Lok Sabha, the National Centre for Disease Control data revealed 37.17 lakh cases in 2024 alone. That averages more than 10,000 bites every day. Experts say this points to a widening gap between India’s target of eliminating rabies deaths by 2030 and the reality of rising bite cases on the ground.
The numbers differ because of how deaths are counted. Government data only records confirmed rabies cases that reach hospitals. Many people, especially in rural areas, die at home without diagnosis or are listed under other causes. This leads to severe underreporting.
The World Health Organisation WHO uses wider data sources and modelling. It factors in unreported cases, survey data, and demographic patterns. That is why its estimate is far higher than the official count.
It is not forgery but a reporting gap, official figures show only a fraction of the real toll.
Dog bite cases dropped during the Covid years, falling from 75.7 lakh in 2018 to 17 lakh in 2021.But post Covid, they have surged, reaching 37.2 lakh in 2024. Maharashtra led the tally with 13.5 lakh cases between 2022 and 2024, followed by Tamil Nadu with 12.9 lakh and Gujarat with 8.4 lakh. Uttar Pradesh had the highest stray dog population at 20.6 lakh, according to the 2019 census, followed by Odisha at 17.3 lakh.
Delhi reported 68,090 dog bite cases in 2024. In 2025, the city recorded 26,334 cases, including 9,920 at Municipal Corporation hospitals and 15,010 at anti-rabies vaccination centres. The capital has sterilised and vaccinated over 65,000 stray dogs between January and June this year. “We are working to reduce the stray population while ensuring the animals’ health,” said Sanjay Kumar, a senior official at the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
In Other States
Across India, the problem of stray dog bites and rabies cases has worsened. In Karnataka alone, 3.6 lakh dog bites and 42 rabies-related deaths were reported in 2024. So far in 2025, the state has already recorded 2.3 lakh bites and 19 deaths. Kerala has also witnessed a sharp rise in cases. In the National Capital Region, cities like Gurgaon and Noida are grappling with similar challenges. Gurgaon has an estimated 50,000 stray dogs but only two shelters, each with a capacity of just 50 animals. Noida, home to approximately 1.5 lakh stray dogs, relies on only four private shelters for management.
Experts link the surge in dog bites to India’s large stray population and gaps in vaccination coverage. “A primary reason why India reports the highest number of rabies deaths globally could be low vaccination rates among dogs and inadequate post-exposure prophylaxis in humans,” said Dr Narander Singla, lead consultant, internal medicine at CK Birla Hospital in Delhi.
The National Center for Disease Control runs a rabies helpline at 15400. Hospitals in Delhi with functional neurology departments are equipped to treat rabies cases. Officials say vaccine supplies are sufficient, though exact numbers were not disclosed.
Dr. Suranjit Chatterji, senior internal medicine specialist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Delhi, said, “It’s a standard recommendation to prescribe immune globulin along with the vaccine. The vaccine takes a couple of days to work, while the immune globulin acts faster. One cannot take a chance, irrespective of the degree of wound.”
A 2023 study in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia highlighted deaths from rabies among vaccinated individuals in Kerala. “Deaths due to rabies among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, especially in the State of Kerala, have caused great public concern,” the study said. It noted that six victims, including a 12-year-old child, died despite receiving both anti-rabies immunoglobulin and vaccine.
The government has pledged to eliminate rabies by 2030 under global health targets. The Animal Birth Control Programme aims to sterilise and vaccinate stray dogs. In 2024, municipalities were advised to implement the ABC programme to control stray populations and protect children, said SP Singh Baghel, minister of state for fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying.
Madhya Pradesh has seen a tragic example of the risks involved. In Limbai village, Barwani district, six people died after being bitten by an animal suspected to be a rabid jackal during a wedding gathering. The incidents began on May 5, 2025, when 17 people were bitten while sleeping outdoors. “We suspect the remains are that of a jackal,” said Ashish Bansod, divisional forest officer, Barwani. “Samples have been sent for lab testing.” All victims received anti-rabies vaccines. Families of the deceased were compensated. Officials are investigating whether vaccine storage or administration may have contributed to the deaths.
States Struggle with Strays
States with large dog populations face repeated challenges in ensuring vaccine coverage. Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have expanded sterilisation drives. Odisha and Uttar Pradesh continue to struggle with stray dog management due to large rural populations. Public awareness campaigns are being run in schools and urban neighbourhoods to educate residents about avoiding bites and seeking treatment quickly.
Hospitals are also seeing a rise in animal bite cases beyond dogs. Jackal and cat bites are reported in rural areas, with rabies transmission risk. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) remains the most effective preventive measure. Experts recommend completing the full course of anti-rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin where indicated.
Data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme shows consistently high dog bite numbers across India. In 2024, more than 3.7 million bites were reported nationwide. Rabies deaths remain underreported. Official estimates suggest several thousand fatalities annually. Public health officials stress that controlling stray populations, ensuring vaccine coverage, and raising public awareness are key to reducing the burden.
India’s dog bite crisis spans multiple states and urban areas, affecting children and adults alike. Government programmes are expanding, but experts warn that sustained action is required to prevent further fatalities.
Public awareness campaigns in schools and urban areas stress avoiding bites and seeking treatment promptly. Experts emphasize completing the full course of anti-rabies vaccine and using immune globulin when needed.
India’s dog bite crisis spans multiple states and urban areas. Government programmes are expanding, but officials and health experts warn that sustained action is essential to prevent further fatalities.
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