In a concerning revelation, India recorded over 21 lakh dog bite cases in 2024, with five lakh of the victims being children and 37 fatalities reported. In response, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has stepped in, directing the Animal Welfare Board in Haryana to investigate the alarming situation and submit an Action Taken Report.
The issue gained national attention after official data presented in the Lok Sabha underscored the scale of the problem. A complaint filed by Anubhava Shrivastava Shahai described the crisis as a governance failure, highlighting the ineffectiveness of sterilization programs and the lack of infrastructure to control the stray dog population. She also pointed out the absence of functional monitoring committees at various levels of administration.
The complainant further raised concerns about the shortage of animal shelters for aggressive strays, a requirement under the 2023 Animal Birth Control (ABC) Guidelines. Without proper intervention, she warned, the unchecked growth of the stray dog population would continue to endanger citizens.
In response, NHRC Assistance Registrar (Law) Brijvir Singh has directed the Animal Welfare Board of India to investigate the matter and submit a report within four weeks. The commission has also emphasized the need for urgent action at both state and national levels to address the growing crisis.
