Maharashtra has reported an alarming surge in dog-related incidents, with more than 30 lakh cases of dog bites recorded in the last six years, according to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s written reply in the state Assembly. He also informed legislators that 30 people died due to rabies between 2021 and 2023, underlining how the growing stray dog population has become a serious public health and safety concern across both rural and urban areas.
30 lakh dog bites in six years
Replying to questions from MLAs across party lines, Shinde said the state’s health and civic records show over 30 lakh cases of dog bites in six years, a figure that cuts across major cities and smaller towns. Districts with dense urban populations such as Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Kalyan-Dombivli have reported particularly high numbers, reflecting the sheer scale of human–dog interaction in crowded neighbourhoods. The deputy CM’s disclosure in the Assembly highlights that dog bites are no longer isolated incidents but a persistent, statewide challenge demanding coordinated action from health, veterinary and civic authorities.
Shinde noted that while most cases receive anti-rabies treatment, 30 deaths between 2021 and 2023 show that gaps remain in timely medical access, awareness and follow‑up. Public health experts point out that rabies is almost entirely preventable if vaccines and immunoglobulins are administered on time, but late reporting, self-treatment and lack of awareness can prove fatal. The data have renewed calls for strengthening surveillance, boosting vaccine availability and launching sustained public campaigns on how to respond immediately after a dog bite.
Rising stray dog population worries MLAs
Legislators from multiple parties raised concerns about the visible rise in stray dog numbers on streets, near schools, markets and housing colonies. Shinde acknowledged these concerns, stating that there has indeed been a “significant increase” in the number of stray dogs in both rural and urban parts of Maharashtra. MLAs pointed to frequent complaints from citizens about packs of dogs chasing two-wheeler riders, attacking children, and creating fear in residential areas, especially early in the morning and late at night.
Animal welfare groups argue that indiscriminate feeding without sterilisation or vaccination programmes, unplanned urbanisation and poor waste management have contributed to the proliferation of stray dogs. Overflowing garbage dumps and open food waste provide easy access to food, encouraging dogs to form larger packs and remain close to human settlements. Balancing public safety with humane treatment of animals has therefore emerged as a key policy challenge for the state.
Birth control and vaccination drive intensified
Addressing follow‑up questions, Shinde said the government has directed local bodies to intensify Animal Birth Control (ABC) programmes and anti-rabies vaccination drives in line with Supreme Court directions issued in August this year. Civic bodies have been asked to work with accredited NGOs and veterinary experts to catch, sterilise and vaccinate stray dogs before releasing them back into their territories, following the rules framed under the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Regulations.
The deputy CM explained that the Urban Development Department issued specific instructions to all civic bodies on 14 November, while similar directives were sent to rural local bodies on 27 November. These orders reiterate that ABC Rules, 2023 must be implemented across Maharashtra, with proper record‑keeping, dog‑marking and post-operative care to avoid cruelty and ensure effectiveness. Officials say that consistent sterilisation and vaccination over several years is crucial to stabilise and then gradually reduce stray dog populations while keeping them protected against rabies.
Implementation of Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023
Shinde emphasised that the state has begun rolling out the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 after government notifications issued in March this year. Under these rules, municipalities and panchayats are responsible for designing ward‑wise action plans, maintaining databases of sterilised and vaccinated dogs, and submitting periodic compliance reports. The guidelines also require proper infrastructure such as kennels, veterinary hospitals, transport vans and trained dog-catching squads to avoid injuries to both animals and staff.
However, many local bodies struggle with budgetary constraints, limited veterinary manpower and resistance from some resident groups, which can slow down implementation. Experts warn that sporadic drives without sustained funding and monitoring will not significantly reduce dog bite cases. They recommend that Maharashtra create a centralised dashboard to track ABC and vaccination coverage, along with a public grievance mechanism where citizens can report aggressive dogs or clusters needing urgent attention. For more in-depth detail read here.
No compensation plan for rabies deaths yet
On the sensitive issue of compensating families of those who died from rabies, Shinde informed the Assembly that the state government has not yet considered any specific compensation scheme. He indicated that the priority at present is to strengthen preventive measures, including vaccination of both humans and dogs, and to ensure better coordination among health, urban development and rural development departments. Some MLAs, however, argued that ex-gratia support would at least acknowledge the suffering of families who lost loved ones due to systemic failures.
Public health advocates stress that a comprehensive strategy must combine legal enforcement of ABC Rules, improved waste management, community awareness and responsible pet ownership. They emphasise that citizens should avoid provoking dogs, ensure timely post-bite treatment, and support sterilisation camps in their localities instead of obstructing them. Only a multi-pronged approach, backed by long-term political commitment and adequate funding, can bring down the staggering figure of over 30 lakh dog bites and eliminate preventable rabies deaths in Maharashtra.
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