Stray dog menace across the State

• Over 3 million citizens bitten by dogs in 6 Years in Maharashtra

• 128,000 citizens bitten by stray dogs in a single year in Mumbai

• On an average, 1,369 persons bitten daily

– Mr Sachin Kaulkar, Correspondent, Mumbai

Mumbai, 1 March (News) – The menace of stray dogs has assumed alarming proportions in major cities of the State, including Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune and Thane. Common citizens are compelled to live under a constant shadow of fear. In the past six years, more than 3 million people across the State have reportedly suffered dog bites. In 2024 alone, as many as 128,000 citizens in Mumbai were bitten by stray dogs.

On an average, 1,369 citizens fall victim to dog attacks every single day in the State, raising serious concerns regarding public safety. This information was furnished in a written reply to a starred question by the Urban Development Department in the Legislative Council on 28 February.

In the Legislative Council, members including Kripal Tumane, Dr (Mrs) Manisha Kayande, Hemant Patil, Yogesh Tilekar, Pravin Darekar, Prasad Lad, Adv. Niranjan Davkhare, Dr. Parinay Fuke, Vikrant Patil and Sadashiv Khot raised the issue of the rising number of dog-bite incidents, particularly in Mumbai and Nagpur.

From January to November 2025, 27,466 persons were bitten by dogs in Pune alone. In a tragic incident at Diva in Thane district, a six-year-old girl, Nisha Shinde, succumbed to rabies infection after being bitten by a stray dog.

Measures announced by the administration

The Urban Development Department under Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde informed that, in accordance with directives of the Supreme Court of India, shelters for stray dogs are being established near sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, sports complexes and railway stations. Three sites have already been finalised, while 17 additional locations are being identified.

The administration has also stated that sterilisation drives are being intensified to control the stray dog population. Necessary precautions are being taken to prevent any shortage of anti-rabies vaccines.

Editorial Perspective

Administration must go beyond assurances and implement a concrete action plan to control stray and aggressive dogs, ensuring a safe environment for citizens.