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

Stray dogs continue to pose a serious threat in Nagpur. According to civic body data, dogs bit 44,660 people in the city between 2021 and 2025. Of these, 9,946 were seriously injured. Eight people died of rabies during the same period. The figures have emerged just ahead of World Rabies Day, observed on September 28, and point to a persisting challenge in controlling rabies and stray dogs in the city.

Year-wise, 5,800 dog bite cases were recorded in 2021, of which 1,484 people were seriously injured. The number rose to 8,317 in 2022, including 2,134 serious injuries. In 2023, 9,110 cases were reported with 1,877 people seriously injured. In 2024, 9,429 people were bitten by dogs, of whom 1,841 were seriously injured. The highest number of cases was recorded in 2025, when 10,944 people were bitten and 2,173 of them were seriously injured. The numbers have risen every year over the past five years.

The civic body has also been running a sterilisation drive to control the dog population. According to the civic body, a total of 69,386 dogs have been sterilised over the past five years through three organisations. Despite this large-scale sterilisation effort, dog attacks have not declined, raising questions over the effectiveness of the drive and the management of strays.

Dogs are not the only concern. According to civic body data, attacks by monkeys, donkeys and pigs have also injured 6,126 people in the city, who were treated at civic hospitals.

To mark World Rabies Day, the animal husbandry department has decided to hold a free rabies vaccination drive for dogs at all veterinary institutions in the district on September 28. Deputy Commissioner of Animal Husbandry Dr. Nitin Phuke has appealed to citizens to get timely vaccination and exercise caution to avoid rabies.