4.86 lakh dog bite cases reported in seven districts of Haryana in 5 years
Haryana: The Supreme Court recently issued directives for the management of stray dogs and other animals in urban areas, including the creation of dedicated feeding zones, shelters, and sterilization measures. However, data from the last five years and eight months in seven districts of the state paints a different picture, with over 4.86 lakh dog bite cases reported during this period, raising a worrying public health concern.
Subhash, State Convener of the Haryana Right to Information Forum, obtained information on dog bite cases from the State Public Information Officer of the Haryana Health Department. These cases were reported between January 2020 and August 2025.
Subhash claimed, “According to RTI responses, a total of 486,592 people, including 415,566 adults and 71,026 children, were bitten by dogs in seven districts in the last five years and eight months. Panipat reported 120,769 cases, Jhajjar 54,262, Rohtak 88,666, Kurukshetra 44,133, Palwal 78,698, Ambala 44,735, and Karnal 55,329, raising public health concerns across the state.” He further said, “In Panipat city, the Civil Hospital recorded 36,336 cases in 2024. Furthermore, 15,239 adults and 1,866 children were bitten by dogs in Samalkha city, while 6,359 adults and 2,165 children were bitten by dogs in Bapoli city.”
Subhash further stated that, according to RTI responses, the Health Department does not maintain data on how many people in the state received compensation for dog bites. However, Haryana has a provision for compensation for stray dog bite victims, as per an order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He further stated that the RTI responses also indicate that there have been no deaths due to dog bites in the state. Dr. Anand Kumar Sharma, Commissioner of the Rohtak Municipal Corporation, stated that there were over 8,000 stray dogs in the municipal area, of which 2,500 have been sterilized, while efforts are underway to establish a feeding zone and a dedicated shelter for stray dogs in each municipal ward.
