Stray dog menace spirals in UP, alarming rise in attacks across cities

The issue of the growing threat posed by stray dogs across Uttar Pradesh was forcefully raised in the Legislative Council by members Dinesh Kumar Goyal and Vijay Bahadur Pathak, under Rule-110, demanding urgent intervention from the state authorities.

Stray dog attacks have surged alarmingly in both urban and rural parts of the state, with citizens, especially children and the elderly, living in constant fear. Despite being tasked with controlling the situation, municipal corporations, local bodies, and the health department have been largely ineffective in addressing the crisis.

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Residential societies in major cities, once considered secure living spaces, are now witnessing packs of stray dogs settling within their premises. With the increasing population of strays, incidents of aggressive behavior and intra-pack violence have also escalated, contributing further to the public safety hazard.

The data presented in the Council paints a grim picture. In 2024 alone, Meerut reported 60,000 dog bite cases, Amroha – 61,000 cases, Moradabad – 49,000 cases, Pilibhit – 48,000 cases, and Ballia – 43,000 cases.

In Lucknow, over 4,000 individuals received anti-rabies injections in June 2024 alone at three major government hospitals—Balrampur, Civil, and Lokbandhu. Over 30% of the victims were children. Statewide, more than 10,000 people per day are reportedly impacted by stray dog bites.

The issue of the growing threat posed by stray dogs across Uttar Pradesh was forcefully raised in the Legislative Council by members Dinesh Kumar Goyal and Vijay Bahadur Pathak, under Rule-110, demanding urgent intervention from the state authorities.

Stray dog attacks have surged alarmingly in both urban and rural parts of the state, with citizens, especially children and the elderly, living in constant fear. Despite being tasked with controlling the situation, municipal corporations, local bodies, and the health department have been largely ineffective in addressing the crisis.

Residential societies in major cities, once considered secure living spaces, are now witnessing packs of stray dogs settling within their premises. With the increasing population of strays, incidents of aggressive behavior and intra-pack violence have also escalated, contributing further to the public safety hazard.

The data presented in the Council paints a grim picture. In 2024 alone, Meerut reported 60,000 dog bite cases, Amroha – 61,000 cases, Moradabad – 49,000 cases, Pilibhit – 48,000 cases, and Ballia – 43,000 cases.

In Lucknow, over 4,000 individuals received anti-rabies injections in June 2024 alone at three major government hospitals—Balrampur, Civil, and Lokbandhu. Over 30% of the victims were children. Statewide, more than 10,000 people per day are reportedly impacted by stray dog bites.