The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of the alarming rise in dog bite incidents across the country, particularly the reported 5 lakh child victims in 2024. Following a complaint by Anubhava Shrivastava Shahai, the NHRC has directed the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to investigate and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within four weeks.
According to data provided in the Lok Sabha by the Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, a staggering 21,95,122 dog bite incidents were reported in 2024, leading to 37 deaths. The complainant called this a “complete failure” of state governments, highlighting irregular sterilization efforts, lack of monitoring committees, and inadequate infrastructure for controlling the stray dog population.
She pointed out that the 2023 Animal Birth Control (ABC) Guidelines mandate shelter homes for aggressive and ferocious dogs, yet many states lack the necessary facilities. She also alleged that central, state, and local-level monitoring committees, responsible for overseeing ABC implementation, were either dysfunctional or not constituted in several states.
In response, NHRC Assistant Registrar (Law) Brijvir Singh issued an official order, stating:
“Let the complaint be transmitted to the Chairman, Animal Welfare Board of India, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Faridabad, Haryana, with directions to get the allegations made in the complaint looked into and to submit an Action Taken Report within four weeks for perusal of the Commission.”
A copy of the complaint has also been forwarded for necessary action. The NHRC’s intervention brings focus to a pressing public safety and animal welfare issue, urging immediate government action to mitigate the crisis.
