The Supreme Court’s recent ruling concerning stray dogs has sparked a significant national debate, dividing public opinion. The decision is supported by some, while others, particularly dog enthusiasts, are against the relocation of these animals to shelters. Furthermore, there’s growing concern about the rise in stray dog attacks, highlighted by troubling data from recent years. This raises the critical question: What are the underlying reasons for the increasing aggression in stray dogs?
**Stray Dog Population in India: A Comparative Overview**
The estimated number of stray dogs in India varies depending on the source. A 2019 report from the Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying indicates a population of over 16 million stray dogs. In contrast, the Pet Homelessness Index of India, released last year, estimated the number to be closer to 62 million.
**The Alarming Reality of Dog Bites: A Statistical Analysis**
The frequency of dog bites has surged in recent years. The Pet Homelessness Index of India reported 3.7 million dog bite cases across the country in 2024, with the majority occurring in rural areas. Tragically, 54 fatalities were recorded, primarily due to rabies.
In 2022 and 2023, the numbers were approximately 2.2 million and 2.3 million, respectively. This year, the count reached 430,000 by January, as reported by the central government in April. This year alone, 37 deaths have been attributed to stray dog bites. The average annual number of dog bite incidents over the last four years has been around 2.3 million.
This averages to 6369 people being bitten by dogs every day. In Delhi-NCR alone, there are around 800,000 stray dogs, with over 25,000 dog bite cases reported last year.
**Unpacking the Reasons for Increased Aggression in Stray Dogs**
Several factors contribute to the heightened aggression observed in stray dogs. Attacks have increased in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai. A key reason for this is the food scarcity that these dogs faced during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, which led to increased hostility. Additional contributing factors include:
* Food deprivation leading to aggressive behavior. Lack of regular food increases stress and irritability.
* Dogs may become aggressive during breeding to protect themselves.
* Unintentional provocation by children or unfamiliar individuals can trigger attacks.
* Dogs may become aggressive when encountering strangers or other animals within their territory.
* Actions such as throwing stones, hitting dogs with sticks, or intentionally scaring them can lead to fear and aggression.
* Illnesses and injuries can also make dogs irritable and aggressive.
**Rabies: A Deadly Threat**
The WHO estimates that around 20,000 people in India die from rabies each year. Over 95% of these deaths are due to bites from stray dogs, resulting in an average of 54-55 deaths per day. These figures represent only rabies-related deaths. While injuries from stray dog attacks are common, fatalities (excluding those from rabies) are relatively infrequent.
**The Supreme Court Order: A Point of Contention**
On August 11, the Supreme Court issued an order mandating the removal of all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR from the streets and their relocation to shelter homes within 6-8 weeks. This decision has led to considerable controversy across the country. Several petitions have been filed against the Supreme Court’s ruling, seeking to halt its enforcement. Although further hearings took place on August 14, the bench—comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria—chose not to stay the order while reserving their final verdict. The Supreme Court is expected to announce its final decision on August 22.