Archive · 5 Aug 2025
Pune: Dog Bite Cases Rise Amidst Drop in Rabies
Even though fewer dogs in Pune have rabies, more people are getting bitten.
The city says this is because they're vaccinating and sterilizing dogs.
But since more people are being bitten, some people think the city isn't doing a good job.
The city says this is because of better reporting, but some think it should also be responsible for stray dog attacks.
Some people also question whether the city's count of how many stray dogs are in Pune is correct or not.
Pune sees rising dog bite cases despite a decrease in rabies among stray dogs.
PMC attributes the drop in rabies to improved vaccination and sterilization.
Over 1 lakh dog bite cases have been treated in Pune hospitals since 2022.
An RTI revealed a contradiction: rising dog bites, falling dog population.
Activists question the effectiveness of sterilization and population control.
- Who
- Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), activists, and residents.
- What
- Increase in dog bite cases despite a decrease in rabies.
- When
- Since 2022 to 2025.
- Where
- Pune, India.
- Why
- To address public safety concerns and evaluate animal control programs.
Public Health Concerns
PMC's Actions
Public Safety vs. Disease Control
Public Health Concerns
Rising dog bites indicate a failure in controlling the dog population and ensuring public safety.
PMC's Actions
PMC focuses primarily on rabies control through vaccination and sterilization.
Accountability for Attacks
Public Health Concerns
PMC should be accountable for stray dog attacks, offering compensation.
PMC's Actions
Focus is on awareness and minor scratch reporting.
- Rabies cases in stray dogs (2018)
- 373
- Rabies cases in stray dogs (2025)
- 19
- Confirmed rabies cases (2018)
- 220
- Confirmed rabies cases (2025)
- 3
- Dog bite cases (2022)
- 21,000
- Dog bite cases (2024)
- 37,000
- Dog bite cases (first five months of 2025)
- 16,000
- Dog population (2018)
- 3.15 lakh
- Dog population (2023)
- 1.79 lakh
