What’s Behind Dog Menace In India? What Does Law Say About Pets? How To Protect Yourself During An Attack

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Last Updated:May 08, 2024, 10:37 IST

As per the law, it is illegal to remove a dog from the streets as it has a 'right' to stay there unless adopted. In 2008, the Supreme Court suspended the Bombay High Court order allowing municipal authorities to kill the dogs that were 'creating...Read More

There were over 27 million pet dogs in India in 2021 while stray dog population is about 62 million. (PTI File Photo)

A five-year-old girl was grievously injured when two pet Rottweiler dogs attacked her at a public park in Chennai. She was taken to a local hospital where she had to undergo a surgery as she received injuries on her head.

Sometime in February, a two-year-old girl was allegedly mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs in Dhobi Ghat area of Delhi’s Tughlak Lane in the evening. Despite efforts to save her, she succumbed to injuries.

These are some of the many appalling dog attack incidents in the country, which have become a major cause of concern for the society. Many incidents have shown that stray dogs have killed or caused the death of vulnerable people, mostly children and senior citizens. Many such incidents of pets attacking humans have also made it to the news in recent years.

Here is all you need to know about why stray dogs attack, what laws say regarding dogs and who is responsible for such attacks.

What Leads to Stray Dog Attacks?

India’s population has reached 1.4 billion while the population density on the relatively small piece of land is high. The extremely overcrowded conditions and a dense population are just a couple of reasons for the number of strays, multiple reports said.

Additionally, India does not have a proper mechanism for animal healthcare and control. The lack of proper animal control measures has also led to a massive population explosion and clashes with humans. Moreover, the dogs can become ferocious due to lack of food or they may get an infection.

Dog Population and Dog Bite Cases?

The overall population of pet dogs in India was over 27 million in 2021, according to Statistica. The population is likely to reach more than 43 million by 2026.

The stray dog population in India is about 62 million, according to the State of Pet Homelessness Index 2021 by Mars Petcare, the global pet health and nutrition company.

The National Crime Records Bureau data shows there were 4,146 reported cases of dog bites leading to human deaths in the country in 2019. A separate data shows that the country witnessed over 1.5 crore dog bite cases since 2019.

Uttar Pradesh, with the highest number of strays, saw the highest incidents with 27.52 lakh cases, followed by Tamil Nadu (20.7 lakh) and Maharashtra (15.75 lakh).

Who is Responsible for Dog Attacks?

Stray dogs may be rabid, hurt, hungry, traumatised or anxious, or protecting their puppies. In such cases, the canines may attack if provoked or feel a threat. Moreover, the presence of stray dogs can lead to dog bites, rabies and constant barking, in some cases.

The stray dog attacks has been a result of a host of factors including negligence of the government and animal welfare organisations, and individual apathy.

The government has failed to implement effective measures to control the stray dog population. The attitude of the animal welfare organizations and civic society groups has been callous and neglected. A handful of individuals who care for stray animals are often met with unbelievable ridicule and resistance.

The neglect and apathy of individuals, social groups and government leaves millions of dogs without vaccination and they are left abandoned to live on the streets, creating bigger problems.

What the Law Says About Stray Dogs?

As per the law, it is illegal to remove a dog from the streets. So, once a dog is on the streets, it has a “right" to stay there unless adopted.

The killing of dogs is also banned in India since 2001. The Supreme Court of India in 2008 suspended the Bombay High Court verdict allowing municipal authorities to kill dogs that were “creating a nuisance".

Article 51A(G) of the Indian Constitution states, “It is a fundamental duty upon every citizen of India to protect wildlife and have compassion for all living creatures."

Feeding stray dogs is legal both within and outside any society. The Supreme Court last year upheld a previous Delhi High Court order that allowed residents to feed stray dogs in their residential areas.

However, the dogs can’t be removed from the residential areas. As per the rules, the people concerned can contact the Municipal authorities like MCD or an NGO, who can take the dogs for sterilisation. But the dog will be let back from the place it has been picked up from.

Laws to Protect Pets

• Keeping or confining any animal chained for long hours amounts to cruelty, and punishable by a fine or imprisonment of up to 3 months

• If an owner fails to provide its pet with sufficient food, drink or shelter, he/she shall be liable for punishment according to section 11 (1) (h) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 is a punishable offence.

• Any person who, without any reasonable cause, abandons an animal in such a situation where the animal is bound to suffer pain due to starvation or thirst- Section 11 (i)

• Any owner of an animal who consciously allows an infected, diseased or disabled animal to go into any street without any permit or leave the animal to die in any street- Section 11 (j)

• Any person intimidating another person and preventing him/her, who is the owner of a pet, from keeping or taking care of his/her pet can be held liable under Section 503 of the IPC.

What to Do When Dogs Attack You?

Don’t Run: If a dog barks at you, don’t run. This will make the dog think that you are an intruder and it will give in to its instinct to chase. Instead, stay still on the ground. Don’t scream because it will make the dog’s adrenaline go higher and it will see it as a signal to attack.

Don’t Wave A Stick in Its Face: A dog will see a stick as a threat and is more likely to go into attacking mode seeing it. So, it’s better not to wave a stick at a dog and simply walk past. Also, keep biscuits handy, especially if you have dogs around your residence. The dog will associate biscuits as a friendly gesture.

Don’t Make a Direct Eye Contact with Dog: If you see a large pack of dogs, you must check their level of alertness. If their ears are pricked, they are sitting straight or are very still, it means they are interpreting you as an intruder. In such a situation, do not make a direct eye contact with them. Walk straight and don’t keep looking back. If you feel scared, use a different route.

Use a Bag to Protect Yourself: Use a bag or an object to protect your vital organs such as the stomach and neck. If the dog is ready to bite, it will most likely go against the protective shield. In case the dog attacks you in a fit, try to stay calm and don’t scream.