Sterilisation and Adoption of Stray Dogs: In a remarkable outcome of sustained efforts by civic bodies, animal welfare organizations, and local communities, Bengal has witnessed a notable decline in dog bite cases in the first seven months of the year. Government data reveals that initiatives focusing on sterilisation and adoption of strays have begun to bear fruit, offering a humane and long-term solution to the problem of unchecked street dog populations.
Sterilisation and Adoption of Stray Dogs: A Persistent Urban Challenge
For decades, dog bites have been a recurring public health concern in Bengal. With its dense urban clusters, semi-urban settlements, and sprawling rural pockets, the state has long struggled to balance human–animal coexistence. In cities like Kolkata, which has an estimated stray dog population of over 2.5 lakh, conflicts often arise due to lack of awareness, poor waste management, and unregulated breeding of stray dogs.
According to previous data from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), the city reported thousands of bite cases annually, putting immense pressure on hospitals and vaccine supplies. Rabies prevention and post-bite care have been critical issues for public health administrators.
The Turning Point: Sterilisation and Adoption
This year, the situation appears to be shifting. Between January and July, state health officials recorded a visible dip in reported dog bite cases compared to the same period last year. Authorities attribute this decline primarily to the ramped-up sterilisation drives and adoption campaigns.
The Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2023, a nationwide framework introduced by the Government of India, mandates sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs while strictly prohibiting their culling. Bengal has taken this policy seriously. Local municipal corporations, in collaboration with NGOs like Love & Care for Animals and People for Animals Kolkata, have intensified sterilisation programs.
A senior officer from the state animal resources department explained:
“Every sterilised dog is one step towards reducing unplanned breeding. In areas where sterilisation rates are high, aggression among strays has decreased, and their health has improved. This is directly reducing bite incidents.”
Adoption as a Parallel Strategy
Alongside sterilisation, adoption drives have gained momentum. Social media campaigns and adoption camps are being organized to encourage families to welcome indie dogs into their homes. These efforts not only reduce the number of dogs on the streets but also help challenge the long-standing bias towards foreign breeds.
Platforms like PetFed India and independent adoption drives hosted across Kolkata’s parks and cafes are drawing younger pet lovers who prefer compassion over pedigree.
A 28-year-old resident of South Kolkata, who recently adopted a rescued stray puppy, said:
“When we adopt, we change not just one life but also ease the pressure on streets. These dogs are loyal, loving, and extremely resilient.”
Data Speaks: Cases Are Down
While exact figures are still being compiled, preliminary reports suggest that several municipal wards in Kolkata have recorded a 15–20% dip in dog bite cases compared to the same time frame last year. Rural districts like North 24 Parganas and Nadia, where stray dog numbers are high, have also reported marginal reductions.
The All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health has noted that vaccination against rabies among sterilised dogs has improved herd protection, further reducing risks of transmission.
Public Health Benefits
Reduced dog bite cases directly ease the burden on government hospitals, which spend substantial resources on post-bite treatments and rabies vaccines. According to WHO, India accounts for 36% of rabies deaths worldwide, and dog bites are the leading cause. Bengal’s progress in preventive control could become a model for other states.
Dr. S. Chattopadhyay, a public health expert in Kolkata, noted:
“Rabies is 100% preventable, yet India continues to lose thousands of lives every year. Sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs, along with community awareness, is the only ethical and sustainable way forward. The Bengal model is promising.”
Community Participation Matters
The decline in bite cases is not solely due to official drives. Residents’ associations and community feeders have played an important role. By ensuring dogs in their neighborhoods are sterilised and vaccinated, and by feeding them regularly, communities have helped reduce aggression levels.
In Park Circus and Tollygunge, for example, local feeders have tied up with NGOs to fund sterilisation surgeries. Citizens are also being encouraged to report unsterilised dogs in their neighborhoods.
Challenges Remain
Despite these successes, Bengal still faces challenges. With lakhs of strays across the state, achieving 100% sterilisation is a herculean task. Infrastructure and veterinary manpower remain limited, especially in semi-urban and rural districts.
Animal welfare activists also point out occasional resistance from residents who object to sterilisation camps or relocation of strays. Misconceptions about rabies and fear of dogs continue to fuel hostility, sometimes leading to cruelty cases.
Global Context: Learning from Abroad
Bengal’s approach aligns with global best practices. Countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Brazil have significantly reduced dog bite incidents through sterilisation and mass vaccination programs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), such programs not only protect humans but also improve the welfare of dogs.
International studies suggest that in areas where 70% of stray dogs are sterilised and vaccinated, bite cases and rabies transmission fall dramatically. Bengal’s progress, though modest, indicates the state is moving in that direction.
A Humane Shift in Policy
What makes this shift significant is its humane nature. India has long witnessed controversies around dog population control, with demands for culling clashing against animal rights. Bengal’s emphasis on adoption and sterilisation reflects a compassionate approach that respects both human and animal rights.
The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has also praised Bengal’s efforts, highlighting how a balance can be struck between public safety and ethical treatment of animals.
Looking Ahead
The Bengal government has announced plans to scale up sterilisation capacity by opening more centers and partnering with private veterinary networks. There are also proposals to introduce microchipping of stray dogs for better tracking.
Additionally, school awareness programs are being rolled out to teach children about safe behavior around dogs, responsible pet ownership, and the importance of rabies vaccination.
If Bengal sustains these efforts, the state could become a leader in demonstrating how humane policies can effectively address stray dog management.
Conclusion
The dip in dog bite cases is not just a matter of statistics—it represents a growing awareness that human-animal conflicts can be resolved without cruelty. By combining sterilisation, vaccination, adoption, and community participation, Bengal is scripting a success story that other states may look to replicate.
For further reading:
- World Health Organization – Rabies Fact Sheet
- Animal Welfare Board of India Guidelines
- ABC (Dogs) Rules, 2023, Government of India
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