Rising dog bite cases put city in jaws of danger

The number of dog bite cases in the city has gone up at an alarming rate in the last three years, official administration data shows. Thousands of cases have been reported in major health facilities, with a significant portion of patients coming from the city’s periphery as well as Mohali and Panchkula.

Medical experts, meanwhile, suggest that pinpointing the exact cause behind the surge was challenging, given the influx of patients from neighbouring areas who seek anti-rabies vaccination in Chandigarh.

The statistics, however, confirm a consistent upward trend in dog bite cases. In 2022, the Government Multi Specialty Hospital, Sector 16 (GMSH-16), handled 7,107 dog bite cases, while Ayushman Arogya Mandir-38 (AAM) recorded another 4,543 incidents. AAM-19, meanwhile, had a staggering 29,190 cases.

The situation worsened for AAM-19 as it dealt with 36,300 cases in 2023. By 2024, the number had risen to 40,153. This year, the facility had registered 6,439 cases by February alone.

According to a Medical Officer (MO), AAM, cases are expected to go further up in peak summer.

GMSH-16 also witnessed an increase to in cases in 2023, with the tally going up to 10,334. Another spike was witnessed in 2024, with 12,009 cases being reported in 2024.

The third facility, AAM-38, also saw a rise, albeit not as steep, as the cases reached 5,637 cases by 2024.

Challenges galore

Medical officers handling dog bite cases highlight that many patients seeking treatment in Chandigarh are not residents of the UT.

“A significant number of individuals, especially from Mohali and other surrounding areas, visit Chandigarh’s hospitals for anti-rabies vaccination. In Mohali, there’s only Phase 6 Government Hospital which sees patients with dog bite for the entire district. This makes it difficult to accurately determine how many cases are actually occurring within the city limits,” said a senior MO from Ayushman Arogya Mandir.

The availability of free or subsidised treatment in Chandigarh’s government hospitals is a key factor attracting patients from outside.

The rise in dog bite incidents has also led to renewed calls for stricter stray dog management policies. “Animal welfare organisations and municipal authorities need to collaborate on sterilisation programs, vaccination drives, and responsible pet ownership awareness campaigns to curb the menace,” opine concerned citizens.

Public awareness is also crucial, as another officer points out, “People must avoid provoking stray dogs, ensure proper disposal of food waste, and report aggressive stray behaviour to the authorities. Education on first aid measures post-bite can also help in reducing the severity of cases.”