Following a Supreme Court order concerning stray dogs, a significant debate has ignited across India, dividing public opinion. Some support the court’s decision, while others, including dog enthusiasts, are against removing these animals to shelters. Simultaneously, many people are distressed by the rise in stray dog attacks, evidenced by unsettling statistics in recent years. This prompts the critical question: why are stray dogs becoming more aggressive?
**Stray Dog Population in India**
Estimates of the stray dog population in India differ across various reports. The Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying reported over 16 million stray dogs in 2019. However, the Pet Homelessness Index of India, released last year, estimated the number to be about 62 million.
**Disturbing Dog Bite Statistics**
The number of dog bite incidents has risen dramatically in recent years. The Pet Homelessness Index of India reported 3.7 million dog bite cases across India in 2024, predominantly in rural areas. Sadly, 54 people died, with most deaths attributed to rabies.
In 2022 and 2023, the figures were around 2.2 million and 2.3 million, respectively. This year, the number hit 430,000 by January, as revealed by the central government in April. Furthermore, 37 fatalities resulted from stray dog bites this year. Over the past four years, the annual average of dog bite incidents has been approximately 2.3 million.
This translates to an average of 6369 people being bitten by dogs daily. The Delhi-NCR region alone is home to roughly 800,000 stray dogs, with over 25,000 dog bite cases reported last year.
**Factors Contributing to Increased Aggression in Stray Dogs**
Multiple factors contribute to the increased aggression observed in stray dogs. Reports of stray dog attacks have increased in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai. A primary reason for this heightened aggression is the food scarcity experienced during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, leading to increased hostility. Additional contributing factors include:
* Food deprivation leading to aggressive tendencies in dogs. Irregular access to food increases stress and irritability.
* Dogs can become aggressive during breeding to protect themselves.
* Unintentional provocation by children or unfamiliar individuals can trigger attacks.
* Dogs may become aggressive when encountering unfamiliar individuals or other animals within their territory.
* Being subjected to actions like stone-throwing, being beaten with sticks, or being scared, can lead to fear and aggression in dogs.
* Illnesses and injuries can also make dogs irritable and aggressive.
**Rabies-Related Fatalities**
According to the WHO, approximately 20,000 people in India die from rabies annually. Over 95% of these cases are caused by stray dog bites, resulting in an average of 54-55 deaths daily due to rabies. These statistics represent only rabies-related fatalities. While injuries from stray dog attacks are common, fatalities, excluding those due to rabies, are comparatively less frequent.
**Supreme Court Order and the Resulting Controversy**
The Supreme Court issued an order on August 11, mandating that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR be removed from streets and housed in shelter homes within 6-8 weeks. This decision has sparked significant controversy nationwide. Numerous petitions have been filed against this order, seeking a stay of its implementation. Further hearings took place on August 14, but the bench consisting of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria declined to stay the order while reserving its final decision. The Supreme Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on August 22.