Stray dog attack: Nearly 2.50 people bitten within ten months; 17 deaths

THRISSUR: A total of 2,49,860 people were bitten by stray dogs in the state in the last ten months, according to data available till October 2025. Seventeen people died due to rabies. Nearly half of those bitten were schoolchildren, including very young kids. However, compared to last year, there has been a slight decrease in the number of dog-bite cases. Last year, 3.16 lakh people were bitten.

Even though the Supreme Court directed that stray dogs should be moved to shelters, no steps have been taken so far to control them. The process became uncertain after the local bodies went into election mode. A survey conducted in 2019–20 under the Animal Husbandry Department had found around seven lakh stray dogs in the state. By 2025, this number will have increased to nine lakh.

ABC programme

Under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme launched by the government to control the stray dog population, 52,995 dogs were sterilised between November 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025.

Kollam reported the highest number (15,832), while Thiruvananthapuram came second (10,849). Kasaragod had the lowest (329).

Dog-bite cases and deaths over the years

Year Dog-bite cases Deaths

2020 1.60 lakh 5

2021 2.21 lakh 11

2022 2.88 lakh 27

2023 3.06 lakh 25

2024 3.17 lakh 26

2025 (till Oct) 2.49 lakh 17

“If each district has at least one shelter, the stray dog problem can be controlled. After the elections, district panchayats are expected to take the lead in this,”

- Dr PB Giridharas, Veterinary Expert