Stray dog bites!! Increasing dog bite cases are a classic example of human-animal conflict. Did you ever think about how they happen? How often do they occur? Why do they occur? Let`s break it down one by one,
India has become a hotspot for stray dog bite cases and has the highest number of dog bites, accounting for a significant portion of global rabies-related deaths, probably due to the large populations of stray dogs.
According to the WHO, there are 18,000 - 20,000 deaths annually, which accounts for more than 36 percent of global rabies reports, and most of the victims are children under the age of 15, as well as old age people.
As per the reports of TOI during the COVID-19 lockdown period, the number of stray dog attacks and rabies cases lowered significantly and rose again in the next years. In the last 8 years, 2018 (75.7 lakh) recorded the highest number of dog bites, and in the post-COVID era, 2024 ranked high with 37.2 lakh dog bites annually.
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The leading Indian states in reported stray dog bite cases are Maharashtra (13.5 lakh cases), followed by Tamil Nadu (12.9 lakh cases), and Gujarat (8.4 lakh cases), with the highest numbers. Maharashtra also ranks high in total stray dog population (12.8 lakh) after Uttar Pradesh, which has the largest stray dog population of 20.6 lakh, and Odisha (17.3 lakh).
The Supreme Court of India has deemed the growing number of dog bites and rabies cases "alarming" and has taken suo motu (on its own motion) cognizance of the matter. It mandated in August 2025 that stray dogs be taken to shelters in the Delhi-NCR area.
The National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination (NAPRE) by 2030 was introduced by the government in 2021 and consists of public education, vaccination campaigns, and healthcare staff capacity building. Although municipalities are responsible for managing stray dogs, many lack the necessary resources and infrastructure to carry out sterilization and vaccination programs successfully.
The main causes of stray dog attacks on people are fear, territoriality, and a lack of socialization, all of which are made worse by environmental factors and human behaviour. The majority of attacks are the consequence of misinterpreting a dog's warnings, and aggression is a survival instinct rather than an act of randomness.
The scientific side underlying the dog attacks
• Automatic survival strategies, like other animals, have brains that are programmed to recognize danger and react by either fighting or running away. A stray dog may bite as a form of defensive aggression if it believes a human poses a threat and is unable to flee.
• Genetics: It is possible for aggressive traits to be inherited from one generation to the next. Aggression and other undesirable traits may be more common in stray populations with high levels of inbreeding.
• Fear and anxiety: A lot of strays have experienced human abuse, neglect, or other trauma. This makes them suspicious and afraid of strangers. The dog may bite out of fear if someone moves suddenly, yells, or encroaches on their personal space.
• Territoriality: Dogs are inherently protective of their perceived territory, which for stray animals may be a trash dump, a street corner, or a regular feeding location. One of the main causes of aggression is encroachment into their territory.
• Lack of socialization: Many strays, in contrast to pets, have not received the necessary socialization to engage with people. They might interpret human gestures like waving arms or making direct eye contact as aggressive signals rather than harmless.
• Human provocation: People frequently intentionally or inadvertently agitate dogs. This includes taunting, chasing, injuring, and throwing stones, all of which, over time, can make dogs agitated and hostile.
• Pack dynamics: The behaviour of stray dogs varies in groups, and they frequently work in packs. Because of their combined strength, the pack as a whole may become more aggressive when an alpha dog is present. Fast-moving targets, such as joggers, cyclists, or running kids, can also increase a pack's prey drive.
• Maternal instincts: Dog mothers fiercely defend their young ones. Any human approaching their litter too closely, especially a child, will be viewed as a threat and could be attacked.
• Health problems: Aggression is more likely in dogs that are ill, injured, or rabid. Neurological damage from rabies, in particular, causes extreme agitation and confusion, which can result in unprovoked biting.
• Resource scarcity: When food is scarce, strays may become aggressive scavengers or engage in combat with people for resources like trash.
First aid, the spread of rabies, and other precautions
The main way that rabies, a fatal virus, infects humans is through an animal's saliva, usually through a bite or scratch. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and prompt first aid are essential because the disease is nearly always fatal once symptoms manifest.
The spread of rabies
• Bites and scratches: An infected mammal's bite is the main way that the disease is spread. Viral-carrying saliva enters the body through the wound. Additionally, if the animal's claws are soiled with saliva, scratches could occur.
• Contaminated licks: If an infected animal or dog licks an open wound, cut on skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth), the virus can enter the body.
• Incubation: After exposure to the virus, it travels across the nerve pathways to the brain. The incubation period typically ranges between 2–3 months but can vary from days to over a year, depending on the intensity of the bite and its proximity to the central nervous system (CNS).
First aid after an animal bite
- Immediate and thorough wound care is the most effective first step in preventing rabies.
- Immediate wash: Flush the wound thoroughly with copious amounts of running water for at least 15 minutes.
- Use soap or detergent: Wash the wound with soap or detergent to help inactivate and remove the virus.
- Apply antiseptic: After washing, apply a virucidal antiseptic, such as povidone-iodine or 70% alcohol.
- Do not apply irritants: Never apply irritants like mustard oil, chilies, or acids to the wound.
- Seek immediate medical help: Go to a hospital or anti-rabies clinic as soon as possible for assessment and professional treatment.
- Avoid suturing: Do not get the wound stitched immediately. Your doctor may need to apply minimal loose sutures to control bleeding after the wound is thoroughly infiltrated with antibiotics.
Medical treatment (Post-exposure Prophylaxis/PEP)
• PEP is a life-saving treatment that must be administered promptly and correctly.
• Vaccine course: A series of anti-rabies vaccine injections is given to activate your body's immune system to fight the virus.
• Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG): For severe bites (Category III), an injection of human or equine rabies immune globulin (HRIG or ERIG) is given around the wound site. This provides immediate, passive immunity while the vaccine stimulates your body's own immune response.
• Tetanus and antibiotics: Depending on the wound, your doctor may also recommend a tetanus shot or a course of antibiotics to prevent other infections.
Preventive measures
• Vaccinate pets: Ensure that your dogs, cats, and other domestic pets are regularly vaccinated against rabies.
• Control pets: Supervise pets when they are outside to prevent contact with stray or wild animals.
• Avoid strays and wildlife: Do not approach, handle, or feed unfamiliar stray dogs or wild animals, even if they appear friendly.
• Report strays: If you see a stray animal that is acting strangely or aggressively, contact your local animal control or health authorities.
• Travel precautions: Be aware of rabies risk when traveling internationally. If you are at higher risk of exposure due to your activities, consider pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) vaccines.
• Educate children: Teach children to stay away from unfamiliar animals and to immediately inform an adult if they have been bitten or scratched.
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