Nagpur: Dog bite incidents in the city rose sharply by nearly 16% in 2025, with cases climbing to 10,944 — the highest recorded in the past four years — as per civic data. The figure marks an increase of 1,515 cases from 9,429 reported in 2024, underscoring a growing public health concern.On average, around 30 people were bitten every day in 2025, compared to 26 per day in 2024, 25 in 2023 and nearly 23 in 2022, indicating a steady year-on-year rise in exposure incidents.Despite the surge in bite cases, rabies numbers remained low. Two rabies cases were reported in 2025 — unchanged from 2024 and significantly lower than the five cases recorded in 2023. Public health experts attributed the divergence to improved post-exposure prophylaxis and timely vaccination but cautioned that the rising bite count calls for stronger preventive measures.Explaining the situation, NMC veterinary officer Gajendra Mahalle said the civic body has been continuously carrying out sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination of stray dogs, along with regular vaccination drives.Mahalle said stray dog population control cannot happen overnight as sterilised dogs continue to live in the same areas. However, he noted that sterilisation significantly reduces aggression, citing scientific evidence that hormone secretion decreases post-sterilisation, thereby lowering aggressive behaviour.He added that the sterilisation programme has not been halted. At present, operations are conducted at three centres near Maharajbagh, Gorewada and Bhandewadi. The programme is implemented through agencies appointed as per Animal Welfare Board norms.Currently, three agencies are engaged in the drive, with dogs caught daily, sterilised, vaccinated and released back as per standard protocol.Dog lovers, however, questioned the spike in cases, saying the data does not present the full picture. “Pet dog bites are not included or given separately,” they said, demanding a detailed break-up.The concern extends beyond the city. Maharashtra is grappling with an estimated 17 lakh stray dogs, leading to around 9.7 lakh dog bite incidents annually across the state, Ramaswami N, Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Department, Maharashtra, said recently in the city.Referring to rabies as a critical One Health issue, Ramaswami said India records over 20,000 rabies deaths every year, with Maharashtra among the major contributing states. In the past one year alone, Maharashtra reported 20 rabies deaths, over 60% of them among children below 15 years. Ward-level data shows the state consistently reports around 9.7 lakh dog bite cases annually.
