Pune Grapples with Rising Dog Bite Cases Despite Over One Lakh Sterilisations in Two Years
Pune Grapples with Rising Dog Bite Cases Despite Over One Lakh Sterilisations in Two Years
Pune city has recorded more than 65,000 dog bite cases in just three years, sparking growing concerns about the effectiveness of existing animal control measures. At the same time, over one lakh dogs have been sterilised since 2023, according to state Industries Minister Uday Samant, who spoke in the Maharashtra Legislative Council on behalf of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The issue came to the fore when BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe raised serious concerns over the increasing threat posed by stray dogs in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, urging authorities to address the situation with urgency.
Providing a breakdown of the numbers, Samant informed the House that Pune city reported 16,569 dog bite cases in 2022, followed by a sharp increase to 22,945 in 2023 and further rising to 25,899 cases in 2024. The steady year-on-year growth highlights a troubling trend despite active sterilisation campaigns.
On the population control front, the minister stated that 57,852 dogs were sterilised during the 2023-24 period, with another 56,511 sterilised in 2024-25. While the figures may appear promising on paper, Samant stressed the need for larger-scale interventions to effectively manage the stray dog population, which he noted is not only an urban issue but increasingly affecting rural villages as well.
He also underscored that any such efforts must comply with the Central Government’s policies, relevant Supreme Court rulings, and animal welfare guidelines, pointing to the delicate balance between public safety and animal rights.
Joining the conversation, NCP leader and nominated Council member Idris Naikwadi suggested that the current sterilisation drives, while ongoing, lack consistent oversight. He proposed that tagging sterilised dogs could greatly improve monitoring and help track the success of these efforts over time.
