The Supreme Court of India has issued a significant directive ordering that all stray dogs in the National Capital Region be removed from public streets and relocated permanently to shelters within six to eight weeks. The court’s decision was driven by mounting public safety concerns, particularly the alarming increase in dog-bite incidents across the country. The bench observed that it could not ignore the serious impact such incidents have on public health, especially with the continued rise in rabies-related fatalities.
India has been recording lakhs of dog-bite cases every year, with figures showing both sharp declines and troubling surges over the past few years. In 2018, the country reported 75.7 lakh cases, but the number dropped to 21.9 lakh in 2022 — a decline attributed to the reduced human–animal interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the situation quickly reversed, with cases rising to over 37 lakh in 2024. The problem has shown no sign of slowing down in 2025; in January alone, there were over 4.29 lakh reported dog bites nationwide.
State-level data for January 2025 reveals that Maharashtra recorded the highest number of cases, with 56,538 incidents, followed closely by Gujarat at 53,942. Tamil Nadu reported 48,931 cases, Karnataka nearly 39,500, and Bihar over 34,000. The national capital itself reported 3,196 cases in that single month. Alongside the sheer volume of attacks, the fatality rate due to rabies has also been climbing. In 2022, 21 deaths were reported; this rose to 50 in 2023 and 54 in 2024. Even in the first month of 2025, one death had already been recorded. In July, a tragic case drew attention nationwide when state-level Kabaddi player Brijesh Solanki from Uttar Pradesh died of rabies weeks after being bitten by a stray pup he had rescued.
To address the crisis, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been providing substantial financial assistance to states and Union Territories since 2020–21 under the National Health Mission’s Free Drug Initiative. This funding ensures the free supply of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) in government hospitals, medical colleges, and dedicated anti-rabies clinics. ARV costs around ₹250 per vial, while RIG costs about ₹350, depending on the type. The government’s annual allocations have been consistent and significant — ₹68.86 crore in FY21, ₹62.33 crore in FY22, ₹98.75 crore in FY23, and ₹99.77 crore in FY24.
In addition to financial support, the government has steadily approved larger volumes of ARV doses through the Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases programme. In 2020–21, 25.56 lakh doses were sanctioned, followed by a sharp increase to 41.76 lakh doses in 2021–22. The figure fell to 18.44 lakh in 2022–23 but surged again in 2023–24 to 64.55 lakh doses. The current financial year, 2024–25, has seen the highest allocation so far, with 80.19 lakh doses approved. Over the past five years, a total of 230.5 lakh doses have been distributed across the country.
The Supreme Court’s latest order is expected to accelerate enforcement efforts and could mark a turning point in India’s struggle to manage its stray dog population, reduce bite cases, and prevent rabies-related deaths. However, effective implementation will require coordinated action between municipal bodies, health departments, and animal welfare organisations to ensure that the removal of strays from public spaces does not compromise humane treatment or create gaps in rabies prevention.
