Hyderabad: The growing menace of stray dogs has become a pressing issue in India, drawing the attention of both the Supreme Court and the Telangana High Court. While the Supreme Court initially ordered that stray dogs be moved to shelters, it later revised its decision following public objections, instructing that they be vaccinated and dewormed before being released back into their neighborhoods. In Telangana alone, the stray dog population is estimated to have reached nearly 20 lakh, with alarming statistics showing that in 2024, over 1.21 lakh people were bitten, and from January to July this year alone, 87,366 fresh cases were recorded. Nationwide, 37 lakh dog bite incidents were reported last year, with 36% of global rabies deaths occurring in India, mostly among children below 15.
The situation has become particularly grave in Telangana, where official data reveals that 13 people died of rabies last year. Reports indicate that 14 dog bite cases occur almost every hour in the last year, with children being the most frequent victims while on their way to school or playing outdoors. Public concern has mounted, with widespread discussions on social media, protests, and appeals from animal lovers and celebrities urging humane treatment of the animals, even as safety concerns dominate civic debates. The Supreme Court’s revised directive emphasizes vaccinations as a preventive measure, while the Telangana High Court has launched suo motu proceedings on the issue, questioning the GHMC on its control measures.
Experts point out that India’s failure to implement effective sterilization and management programs has worsened the problem, especially when compared to international standards. In countries like the UK, US, and Singapore, stray dogs are not allowed to roam freely, and unclaimed dogs are often humanely euthanized within a fixed period. The Netherlands, notably, has become the first country in the world to eliminate street dogs entirely. With India’s urban populations rapidly growing, the demand for a clear and humane policy framework is intensifying, as unchecked stray dog numbers continue to pose both a health and safety crisis.