A video has been circulating on social media where Brijesh Solanki, a state -level, kabaddi player died of rabies in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr.
Kabaddi Player, Brijesh Solanki
It happened 3 months ago, when he was bitten by a puppy, he was rescued from drowning. He ignored the precaution he should have taken and didn’t take the rabies injection. In the video he was shown writhing and howling in pain.
The video reignited widespread concern over the growing threat posed by stray animals, highlighting the urgent need for both public responsibility and decisive government action.
How dire the situation is
I can't say there is anyone who has never been attacked by dogs in their lifetime. I was chased by a dog when I was 12 years old. My sister got bitten by a dog, and one of my friends got bitten by a monkey. It’s not just one case; there is a big number of dog bites, registered or unregistered, and people suffer the consequences.
According to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), dog-transmitted rabies is responsible for an approx. 59,000 human deaths globally each year, resulting in the loss of approximately 3.7 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). The majority of these deaths take place in underdeveloped countries in Asia (59.6%) and Africa (36.4%). The total economic burden of dog-mediated rabies is estimated at USD 8.6 billion annually excluding psychological impacts on individuals and communities.
In India alone, rabies causes an estimated 20,000 human deaths annually, with approximately 17.4 million animal bite incidents reported each year. According to a press release by Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Dog Bite cases reported by states/UTs at IDSP (from 2022-25) was 4,29,664, in which Maharashtra(56538) had the highest dog bite cases followed by Gujarat(53942) and Tamil Nadu(48931). Numbers are scary.
India contributes significantly to the global rabies burden, responsible for 59.9% of rabies-related deaths in Asia and 35% of deaths worldwide. The primary sources of rabies transmission in India are dogs and cats (97%), followed by other animals.
What is the reason, Why India Leads Globally
1. Huge stray dog population
India has around 62 million free-ranging dogs, including ~6.2 crore (62 million) strays and 3.1 crore pet dogs. These stray dogs are concentrated in urban slums and waste dumps where food is abundant.
2. Legal and enforcement challenges
The 2001 Animal Birth Control (ABC) law prohibits euthanasia, mandating sterilisation-only control. Additionally, most municipalities lack funds and capacity to sterilise large numbers, leading to uncontrolled population growth.
3. Vaccination gaps & low awareness
Vaccination gaps and low awareness also play a crucial role. In India, awareness of proper post-bite protocols is alarmingly low, with 71% of victims skipping vaccination, due to non or very low availability of vaccination nearby hospitals and dispensaries.
4. Urbanization & human–dog conflicts
Encroaching urban habitats force dogs into closer contact with people. In urban areas, dog lovers love to give food, without realising, maybe not for them but for someone unknown they are walking danger. Dogs mark their territory, if anyone outside enters they attack, it's in their nature. They don’t attack who gives them food, but for others it’s not the same.
5. No social responsibilities
As a society, every civilian, dog lover or not, needs to look after the dogs and stray animals in their area, and try to get them vaccinated and sterilized. But, almost no one cares about it, not even those who question the government's actions.
What Can Help
To effectively tackle the rising cases of dog bites in India, a multi-pronged strategy is essential. The Animal Birth Control (ABC) and anti-rabies vaccination drives can play critical roles.
For instance, Goa Launches Stray Dog Vaccination & Sterilization Drive from time to time amid Rising Attacks in their state. This helps them to control the number of stray animals, without harming them.
With public awareness, municipal bodies need strengthened capacity, with adequate funding, trained personnel, and proper equipment to ensure large-scale, efficient sterilisation and vaccination of stray dog populations.
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