Over the last three years, the country has grappled with a rising stray dog menace.

There have been approximately six dog bites every minute.

As per the WHO Association for the Prevention and Control of Rabies in India (APCRI)-2004 study, India contributes 36% to global rabies deaths, earning the title of "Rabies Capital.”

Recent data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reveals 24.7 lakh dog bite incidents between January and October 2023.

Despite sporadic reports, data indicates a reduction in dog attacks since 2018.

In 2018, 75 lakh dog bite cases were reported, decreasing to over 72 lakh and 46 lakh in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

However, the number of dog bites per day has been increasing since 2021.

The government launched the National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination in 2021 to address this concern.