Over 25,000 dog bite cases in Pune last year, more than 14,000 already this year

As per data from the civic body, 56,537 stray dogs were sterilised and vaccinated in 2024-2025, while the figure was 57,444 in 2023-2024. From April till June this year, 14,297 stray dogs have been sterilised and vaccinated.

Approximately 4,000 stray dogs are sterilised and vaccinated on a monthly basis at the five animal birth control centres–Universal Animal Welfare Society at Holkarwadi and Katraj; Blue Cross Society at Keshav Nagar, Mundhwa; Canine Control and Care at Baner; and Naidu Hospital. According to the officials, additional mass vaccination camps have also been conducted, and no rabies deaths have been reported in the past few years.

Civic body urged to take immediate measures

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s directives to the authorities in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, focusing on systematic measures such as rounding up stray dogs, experts with the Pune Platform for Collaborative Response (PPCR) have urged the PMC to initiate a citywide programme to manage stray dogs more effectively.

Sudhir Mehta, coordinator at the PPCR, said the Supreme Court’s guidelines have been framed to balance public safety with humane animal management. “Pune, as a rapidly growing metropolitan city, faces similar challenges that require structured and decisive action. With the city’s increasing population density and limited open spaces, the potential for stray dog-related incidents is likely to rise unless addressed through organised interventions,” he said.

The PPCR has called for strengthening and expanding shelter infrastructure, ensuring adequate capacity and humane conditions. It has also called for installing CCTV cameras in all shelters, launching a citywide capture and relocation drive, and issuing a public advisory on the legal consequences of obstructing such operations.