Nagpur: 44,660 dog bite cases in five years, 8 deaths from rabies

The stray dog problem in Nagpur is worsening year by year. According to civic body data, a total of 44,660 people were bitten by dogs in the city over the five years between 2021 and 2025. Of these, 9,946 people were seriously injured. During the same period, 8 people have died due to rabies. These figures, which emerged around World Rabies Day observed on September 28, point to the growing stray dog problem in the city.

Looking at the year-wise figures, 5,800 dog bite incidents were recorded in 2021, of which 1,484 people were seriously injured. In 2022, this number rose to 8,317, with 2,134 people seriously injured. In 2023, 9,110 people were bitten by dogs and 1,877 were seriously injured. In 2024, 9,429 cases were reported, with 1,841 people seriously injured.

The situation appeared to worsen further in 2025. So far this year, 10,944 people have been bitten by dogs, of whom 2,173 were seriously injured. This means 2025 recorded the highest number of dog bite incidents in the entire five-year period.

To control the stray dog population, the civic body has been running a sterilisation drive. According to the civic body, 69,386 dogs have been sterilised through three organisations over the past five years. But despite sterilisation on such a large scale, the number of dog attacks is not declining, raising questions about the management of stray dogs and the success of the sterilisation drive.

Dog attacks are not the only problem for people in the city. According to civic body data, 6,126 people have also been injured in attacks by monkeys, donkeys and pigs. All of them were treated at civic body hospitals.

On the occasion of World Rabies Day on September 28, free rabies vaccination of dogs will be carried out at all veterinary institutions in the district. Deputy Commissioner of Animal Husbandry Dr. Nitin Phuke has appealed to people to get vaccinated on time and take necessary precautions to prevent rabies.