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A new conflict has erupted across India following the Supreme Court’s order regarding stray dogs. Society is divided; some welcome the court’s decision, while others, particularly dog lovers, are displeased. They oppose removing the animals to shelters. Conversely, others are troubled by stray dog attacks, with alarming statistics emerging in recent years. The central question is: why are stray dogs becoming so ferocious?
**How many stray dogs are there in India?**
Reports vary regarding the number of stray dogs in India. According to a 2019 report from the Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, India has over 16 million stray dogs. However, a report from the Pet Homelessness Index of India last year estimated the number to be approximately 62 million.
**Alarming Dog Bite Statistics**
Over the past few years, alarming dog bite figures have surfaced. The Pet Homelessness Index of India reported that in 2024, there were 37 lakh dog bite cases across the country, with most occurring in rural areas. Last year, 54 people died, with the majority of cases involving rabies.
In 2022 and 2023, the figures were around 22 lakh and 23 lakh, respectively. This year, the number reached 430,000 in January alone, as reported by the central government in April. 37 people have died from stray dog bites this year. Over the last four years, approximately 23 lakh dog bite incidents have occurred annually.
This means an average of 6369 people are victims of dog bites every day. In Delhi-NCR alone, there are about 8 lakh stray dogs, with over 25,000 dog bite cases reported last year.
**Why are Stray Dogs Becoming Ferocious?**
There are several reasons why stray dogs are becoming aggressive. Complaints of stray dog attacks have increased in metropolitan areas like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai. The primary cause for their increased ferocity in these areas is that during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, these dogs faced food shortages, leading to heightened aggression. Other factors include:
* Food scarcity leads to aggressive behavior in dogs. Lack of regular meals increases stress and irritability.
* During breeding, male and female dogs can become aggressive to protect themselves.
* Unintentional provocation by children or strangers can trigger attacks.
* Dogs may become aggressive when encountering strangers or other animals in their territory.
* People throwing stones, hitting dogs with sticks, or scaring them causes fear and aggression.
* Illnesses and injuries also make dogs irritable and ferocious.
**Rabies Deaths**
According to the WHO, approximately 20,000 people die from rabies in India annually. Over 95% of these cases result from stray dog bites, meaning an average of 54-55 people die from rabies every day. These figures only represent rabies-related deaths. Severe injuries from stray dog attacks are common, but fatalities, excluding rabies, are relatively less frequent.
**Debate Erupts Over SC Order**
On August 11, the Supreme Court ordered that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR be removed from the streets and sent to shelter homes within 6-8 weeks. This order sparked debate nationwide. Several petitions were filed against the Supreme Court’s August 11 order, seeking a stay on its implementation. A hearing took place on August 14, but the bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria, refused to stay the order while reserving its decision. The Supreme Court is expected to announce its decision on August 22.
