Stray dogs making life in Kerala unbearable: 3.69 lakh people bitten in 2025, three-fold increase in deaths due to rabies

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 3.69 lakh people were bitten by stray dogs in 2025 in Kerala. 15.02 lakh people were bitten from 2021 to 2025. 122 people died due to rabies in the past five years. The number of deaths in 2021 was 11, which increased to 33 in 2025. A threefold increase. The five-year figures of the local government department show that the plans for stray dog ​​control are not effective.

The capital recorded the highest number of stray dog ​​bites- 2.26 lakh in five years. Palakkad followed closely behind with 1.55 lakh. Kollam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts also recorded more than one lakh bites.

The highest number of deaths due to rabies has been in Kollam. 21 in the last five years. Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha have each lost 17 lives. Palakkad has 14 and Thrissur has 12. Only Wayanad has not reported any rabies deaths in the last five years. Kottayam and Idukki have two deaths each, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Kozhikode have eight deaths each, Malappuram and Kannur have six deaths each, and Kasaragod has one death.

Compensation in respective districts

Those bitten by stray dogs will get compensation from their respective districts. The complaint should be filed with the District Legal Service Authority. The Stray Dog Victim Compensation Recommendation Committee (SDVCRC) is chaired by the Secretary of the District Legal Service Authority and consists of the District Medical Officer, District Animal Husbandry Officer and District Joint Director of the Local Government Department. Complaints can be filed by post or in person.

Victims of stray dog ​​attacks

(Five-year figures by district)

Thiruvananthapuram..................2.26 lakh

Kollam..................................1.72 lakh

Pathanamthitta..................................75,912

Kottayam..................................1.11 lakh

Alappuzha..................................1.20 lakh

Idukki..................................45,810

Ernakulam..................................1.48 lakh

Thrissur..................................1.40 lakh

Palakkad..................................1.55 lakh

Malappuram..................................57,465

Kozhikode..................................86,535

Wayanad..................................33,527

Kannur.....................................82,694

Kasargod..................................45,884