Are we doing enough to control spread of rabies?
Last week, a 70-year-old man, Seethappa, was tragically mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs just outside his home in Kodigehalli during his early morning walk in Bengaluru, Karnataka. This incident was reported in media on July 29, 2025.
In Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, a 62-year-old woman was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs while working in her field. This incident was reported on July 25, 2025. Similarly, a 13-year-old boy was killed in a vicious attack by a pack of stray dogs, with reports indicating severe disfigurement in Samastipur, Bihar on July 16 this year. A stray dog reportedly bit over 50 people in a single incident before being found dead. This event was reported on June 17, 2025 in Kannur, Kerala.
These incidents are just a few examples of the increasing frequency and severity of stray dog attacks across India with numerous incidents reported in both urban and rural areas. These attacks often result in severe injuries and, in tragic cases, fatalities. In recent months, several brutal incidents have highlighted the escalating stray dog menace in India.
Addressing the stray dog menace requires a multi-pronged approach, focusing on population control, vaccination, and responsible pet ownership. Various initiatives are being undertaken across India to tackle this issue.
Chennai Corporation’s vaccination drive
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is set to launch a significant vaccination and deworming drive, aiming to immunize 1 lakh (100,000) stray and pet dogs. This 50-day drive, commencing on August 7, 2025, comes after a five-year pause in citywide vaccination efforts. The initiative is a crucial step towards preventing the spread of rabies and controlling the stray dog population in the city.
Dr. J. Kamal Hussain, a health official involved in the drive, stated, “This special mass vaccination camp, starting August 7, will cover the remaining unvaccinated stray population.” Earlier reports indicated a plan to vaccinate 1.8 lakh stray dogs starting in June 2025, suggesting an intensified effort.
Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs
A key strategy for managing stray dog populations in India is the implementation of Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs. The Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001, and the more recent Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, provide a legal framework for the sterilization and vaccination of stray dogs. These rules aim to control the dog population humanely, prevent rabies, and reduce dog bites.
However, the effectiveness of these programs has been a subject of debate, with some reports indicating inadequate implementation and limited impact, as highlighted by concerns raised by councillors in Chennai regarding the rising stray dog menace despite ABC measures. Amid these concerns, Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma. Subramanian stated that the government would hold meetings with officials to discuss methods, beyond animal birth control, to check the rising population of stray dogs.
National Rabies Control Program (NRCP)
The Indian government has also launched the National Rabies Control Program (NRCP) to combat rabies. The NRCP provides a broad framework for eliminating dog-mediated rabies through various strategies, including mass dog vaccination, public awareness campaigns, and post-exposure prophylaxis for bite victims. The program emphasizes a ‘One Health’ approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in disease control.
Rabies remains a significant public health concern in India, with the country bearing a disproportionately high burden of global rabies deaths. The disease is almost invariably fatal once clinical symptoms appear, making prevention through vaccination and prompt post-exposure prophylaxis critical.
Rabies statistics in India and global comparison
India is endemic for rabies and accounts for a staggering 36 per cent of global rabies deaths. Estimates suggest that between 18,000 and 20,000 people die from rabies annually in India, with a significant percentage (30-60 per cent) being children under 15 years of age. While there has been a reported 75 per cent reduction in rabies deaths in recent years, approximately 5,700 people still succumb to the disease annually.
Globally, around 59,000 people die from rabies each year, with 99 per cent of these deaths occurring in tropical developing countries. India’s contribution to this global burden is substantial, highlighting the urgent need for sustained and effective control measures.
While specific city and village-level data on rabies hotspots can be challenging to pinpoint comprehensively, general trends indicate that rabies is endemic across most of India, with the exception of the Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands. Rural areas and urban slums often bear a higher burden due to several contributing factors.
The primary vector for rabies transmission to humans in India is the stray dog. A large, unvaccinated stray dog population provides a continuous reservoir for the virus. Lack of knowledge of the severity of the disease is also a major concern as many poor individuals, particularly in rural and underserved areas, remain unaware of the importance of immediate wound care after a dog bite, and the necessity of post-exposure prophylaxis.
Improper disposal of waste in urban and rural areas provides a food source for stray dogs, contributing to their proliferation and congregation, which can increase the risk of bites and disease transmission. Despite the existence of Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules and national programs, their implementation can be inconsistent or inadequate in many regions, failing to effectively control stray dog populations and vaccinate a sufficient percentage of dogs.
Certain socio-cultural practices, such as indiscriminate feeding of stray dogs, while well-intentioned, also contribute to their population growth and dependence on human settlements, increasing human-dog interaction and potential for bites.
The majority of human rabies cases in India (over 95 per cent) are caused by dog bites, underscoring the critical need to manage the stray dog population and ensure widespread dog vaccination to break the cycle of transmission.
State government initiatives and their effectiveness
Various state governments in India have implemented schemes and programs to address the stray dog menace, primarily focusing on population control and rabies prevention. The most prominent and widely adopted approach is the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program, often coupled with mass vaccination drives.
As mandated by the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001, and the subsequent 2023 rules, ABC programs involve the sterilization and vaccination of stray dogs. The aim is to humanely reduce the stray dog population over time and control the spread of rabies. Many states and Union Territories receive budgetary support from the central government under the National Rabies Control Program (NRCP) to implement these schemes.
In response to increasing dog bite incidents and public concern, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) launched a pilot program to sterilize and immunize stray dogs across 12 assembly constituencies. The committee head, Sunder Singh Tanwar, stated, “We aim to achieve 70% sterilisation in six to seven months across Delhi. This will be possible only with the wholehearted support of the stakeholders.”
The MCD is also creating dog shelters within existing sterilization centers to house aggressive or habitual biters. However, committee member Rajpal Singh, a councillor from Sriniwaspuri, noted a challenge: “The current Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023 limit the holding of dogs in custody to just 10 days, which may hamper long-term relocation. We will simultaneously pursue the central government on amending this rule.” The issue has garnered high-level attention, with the Supreme Court taking suo motu cognisance of a Times of India report on dog bite cases, calling the situation “very disturbing and alarming.”
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also instructed officials to treat this issue “not merely as an administrative task but also as a social responsibility.” BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat raised the matter in Parliament, highlighting the spike in dog bite cases, stating, “Dog bite cases have spiked from 63,600 in 2021 to nearly 90,000 in just the first seven months of 2025,” and called for a national shelter policy.
Officials in Uttar Pradesh have been intensifying efforts to control stray dogs through sterilization, vaccinations, and promoting responsible pet ownership through licensing. Recent reports indicate that over 2.8 lakh stray dogs were sterilized and vaccinated during special drives in Uttar Pradesh, with 1.25 lakh sterilizations in 2023-24 and 1.19 lakh in 2024-25. These programs are designed for humane management and population control.
Despite facing significant challenges, some local bodies in Kerala have also undertaken sterilization and vaccination drives. However, there have been instances of alleged culling of stray dogs, leading to legal action and highlighting the tensions between public safety concerns and animal welfare.
Meanwhile, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has been pulled up by the Lokayukta for its failure to adequately tackle the stray dog menace, indicating that despite efforts, implementation and effectiveness can be a challenge.
The success of these state-level schemes has been mixed. While ABC programs are scientifically proven to be effective in controlling stray dog populations and rabies when implemented consistently and on a large scale, several challenges hinder their widespread success in India:
Inadequate Funding and Infrastructure: Many municipalities and local bodies lack sufficient funds, trained personnel, and infrastructure (e.g., veterinary hospitals, animal shelters) to conduct ABC programs effectively across their entire jurisdiction.
Low Coverage: To be truly effective, ABC programs require a high percentage of the stray dog population to be sterilized and vaccinated. Achieving this high coverage is difficult in vast and densely populated areas.
Lack of Public Cooperation: Public participation and cooperation are crucial. Issues like indiscriminate feeding of stray dogs can undermine population control efforts by providing a constant food source, leading to increased breeding.
Legal and Ethical Debates: There are ongoing debates and legal challenges regarding the methods of stray dog control, particularly concerning culling versus humane methods like ABC. This can sometimes lead to policy paralysis or inconsistent implementation.
Migration of Dogs: Stray dogs can migrate from one area to another, making it challenging to maintain a sterilized and vaccinated population in a specific region.
Lack of Data and Monitoring: Accurate data on stray dog populations, sterilization rates, and rabies incidence is often lacking, making it difficult to assess the effectiveness of programs and identify areas needing more attention.
Despite these challenges, states continue to invest in these programs, recognizing their importance in mitigating the stray dog menace and preventing rabies. The focus remains on humane population control through sterilization and widespread vaccination, coupled with public awareness campaigns.
International approaches to stray dog management
Stray dog management is a global challenge, and different countries have adopted various strategies, with varying degrees of success. The approaches often depend on the socio-economic context, cultural attitudes towards animals, and the prevalence of diseases like rabies.
First World Countries: The Netherlands Model
The Netherlands stands out as a prime example of a country that has virtually eliminated its stray dog population without resorting to culling. Their success is largely attributed to a comprehensive and humane approach centered around the CNVR (Collect, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return) program.
Key elements of their strategy include:
Mass Sterilization and Vaccination: A nationwide, government-funded sterilization and vaccination program ensures that a vast majority of dogs are spayed/neutered and immunized against rabies and other diseases.
High Taxes on Purchased Dogs: Implementing high taxes on dogs purchased from pet stores or breeders incentivizes adoption from shelters.
Strict Animal Welfare Laws: Robust animal welfare laws and their strict enforcement ensure responsible pet ownership and deter abandonment.
Public Awareness and Education: Extensive public awareness campaigns promote responsible pet ownership, including microchipping, training, and proper care.
Community Involvement: Strong community involvement and support for animal shelters and rescue organizations play a crucial role.
This holistic approach, focusing on prevention, responsible ownership, and humane population control, has allowed the Netherlands to achieve a virtually stray-free environment.
In many second and third-world countries, the stray dog problem is often more pronounced due to factors like rapid urbanization, inadequate waste management, and limited resources for animal welfare programs.
Many countries are increasingly adopting ABC or CNVR programs, recognizing their long-term effectiveness in humane population control and rabies prevention. Countries like Turkey, parts of Latin America, and Southeast Asian nations are implementing such programs, often with the support of international animal welfare organizations.
Historically, and still in some regions, mass removal or culling (euthanasia or killing) of stray dogs has been practiced as a quick, albeit often ineffective and inhumane, method of population control. This approach is often criticized for its ethical implications and its failure to address the root causes of the stray dog problem, leading to a vacuum effect where new dogs quickly fill the void.
Establishing animal shelters and promoting adoption are also part of the strategy in many countries. However, the sheer number of stray dogs often overwhelms shelter capacities.
The development and enforcement of animal welfare laws, including mandatory pet registration and penalties for abandonment, are crucial but often challenging to implement effectively in resource-limited settings.
Overall, the global trend is moving towards humane and sustainable methods like mass sterilization and vaccination, coupled with responsible pet ownership and public education, as demonstrated by the success in countries like the Netherlands. However, the pace and effectiveness of these changes vary significantly across the world, particularly between developed and developing nations.
In India, the stray dog menace is a complex issue with significant public health and safety implications, particularly concerning rabies. The persistent challenge of rabies deaths and the varying success of state-level schemes underscore the need for more robust and consistent implementation, adequate funding, and increased public awareness.
Lessons from countries like the Netherlands demonstrate that a comprehensive, humane, and sustained approach focusing on mass sterilization, vaccination, responsible pet ownership, and strong legal frameworks can effectively manage stray dog populations without resorting to culling. Ultimately, tackling India’s stray dog menace requires a collaborative effort involving government bodies, animal welfare organizations, local communities, and responsible citizens. By prioritizing humane methods, investing in infrastructure, and fostering a culture of responsible pet ownership, India can move towards a future where both humans and animals can coexist safely and harmoniously.
