Bhopal is witnessing an alarming rise in dog bite incidents, with an average of 81 people reportedly falling victim every day. The growing concern comes despite the Bhopal Municipal Corporation spending more than Rs 8.5 crore over the last five years on stray dog sterilisation and vaccination programmes.

Officials and health experts say the increasing number of stray dogs, limited shelter facilities and inadequate control mechanisms are contributing to the worsening situation across the city. The issue has now emerged as a major public safety concern, especially for children, elderly residents and pedestrians in densely populated localities.

Dog Bite Cases Increasing

According to municipal and health department data, dog bite complaints in Bhopal have continued to rise even after extensive sterilisation and vaccination campaigns. Authorities said the city currently has nearly 1.20 lakh stray dogs roaming across residential colonies, marketplaces, bus stands and public roads. Municipal officials receive around 15 complaints related to stray dog attacks or aggressive dog packs every day. Victims of dog bites are regularly reaching major hospitals including Hamidia Hospital and JP Hospital for treatment.

Supreme Court Guidelines In Focus

The issue has gained further attention after recent Supreme Court directions regarding stray dog management near schools, hospitals, railway stations and bus terminals. The court has emphasised removal and proper management of stray dogs from sensitive public locations. However, civic officials in Bhopal admit implementation remains difficult due to lack of infrastructure and shelter facilities. Despite the large stray dog population, Bhopal Municipal Corporation currently does not have a permanent dog shelter facility in the city.

High-Risk Areas Identified

Residents in several localities have reported increasing fear due to stray dog packs, particularly during night hours. Areas identified as high-risk zones include Ashoka Garden, Ayodhya Bypass, Piplani, Kohefiza, Shahjahanabad, Karond, Minal Residency, Patel Nagar, Chhola, Bairagarh, Lalghati-Halalpur Road, New Market, ISBT and the railway station surroundings. Local residents say large groups of stray dogs occupy roadsides and footpaths in some locations, making movement difficult for pedestrians, schoolchildren and elderly people.

Limited Capacity At ABC Centres

Municipal records show that the corporation currently operates three Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres at Arwalia, Adampur Chhawani and Kajlikheda. However, the combined capacity of all three centres is only around 600 dogs, which remains significantly lower than the estimated stray dog population of more than one lakh. Officials said nearly 20 to 25 dogs undergo sterilisation and vaccination every day at these facilities. The centres are currently designed only for sterilisation and vaccination work, while permanent rehabilitation shelters for stray dogs are still unavailable.

Crores Spent On Sterilisation

Over the last five years, the municipal corporation has reportedly spent around Rs 8.56 crore on sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination programmes. Authorities claim that more than 81,000 dogs have undergone sterilisation and vaccination during this period. Despite these efforts, complaints related to stray dogs and dog bite incidents have continued to increase across the city, raising questions over the effectiveness of existing management systems.

Indore Also Facing Crisis

The stray dog issue is not limited to Bhopal alone. Indore has also recorded a sharp rise in dog bite cases. Data from April 2026 showed that Indore reported 3,493 dog bite cases within just 24 days, averaging nearly 146 cases every day. Earlier months also recorded high figures, including more than 5,000 cases in January and March. Officials say large urban populations, open garbage disposal and growing stray dog numbers are worsening the problem in major cities across Madhya Pradesh.

MP Among Top States In Dog Bite Cases

National Health Mission data from 2024 estimates that Madhya Pradesh has more than 10 lakh stray dogs, with over six lakh concentrated in major cities including Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Ujjain and Jabalpur. Central government records show that between 2022 and January 2025, Madhya Pradesh reported nearly 3.39 lakh dog bite cases. The state recorded 66,018 cases in 2022, 1.13 lakh in 2023 and over 1.42 lakh in 2024. At least nine rabies-related deaths were also reported during this period. Health experts say Madhya Pradesh remains among the states reporting the highest number of dog bite cases in the country.

Heat Increases Aggression

Veterinary expert Dr. SR Nagar said summer weather often increases aggressive behaviour among stray dogs. He explained that dogs do not have sweat glands like humans, making it difficult for them to regulate body temperature during extreme heat. According to experts, dehydration, hunger and stress can make stray dogs more irritable and unpredictable, increasing chances of attacks in crowded urban areas.