Bengaluru
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has reported an increase in dog bite cases in the city for the year 2022-2023, with 5,626 incidents recorded compared to the previous year. According to BBMP, there were 23,236 reported dog bite cases in 2022-2023 compared to 17,610 cases in 2021-2022. Veterinarians from the animal husbandry department of BBMP attribute this rise in dog bite cases to factors such as provocation, territorial aggression, maternal anxiety among mother dogs, inter-dog conflicts, and food-related disputes. Many people may not be aware of these triggers, leading to unfortunate dog bite incidents. For instance, when strangers enter colonies or residential areas with stray dogs and make loud noises, it can provoke the dogs to react defensively, sometimes resulting in bites. Similarly, female dogs can become aggressive when they have litters of puppies. BBMP is taking proactive steps to raise awareness among children and the general public about these factors that can lead to dog attacks on pedestrians. A senior animal husbandry officer mentioned that a stray dog census was conducted in July with the involvement of various stakeholders, and they are now formulating area-specific plans to intensify public awareness campaigns. Residents often request BBMP officials to relocate stray dogs following dog bite incidents, unaware of the legal restrictions against such relocation. BBMP is committed to educating citizens about the laws and the reasons behind dog culling while promoting peaceful coexistence. Parents are being actively informed about the importance of checking for scars and bite marks on their children and are advised not to ignore them. In cases where dog bites are confirmed, immediate administration of anti-rabies vaccines is recommended to prevent potential rabies infections. By raising awareness and educating the public about canine behavior, BBMP aims to mitigate dog bite incidents and ensure the safety of residents in Bengaluru.
