Stray Dogs in Uttar Pradesh Face Lifetime Confinement After Second Human Bite

In a bold move to tackle the growing menace of stray dog attacks, the Uttar Pradesh government has rolled out stringent new guidelines that mandate lifelong confinement for any stray dog caught biting a human for the second time. This policy, announced by the state animal husbandry department, aims to safeguard public health while addressing the rising incidents of rabies transmission and injuries across urban and rural areas.

The directive, issued under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and aligned with the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, classifies repeat offenders among strays as high-risk threats. Veterinary teams are now required to capture such dogs immediately following a confirmed second bite, transferring them to designated shelters for permanent housing. There, the animals will receive mandatory sterilization, vaccination against rabies, and round-the-clock monitoring to prevent escapes or further harm.

Officials from the animal husbandry department emphasized that the measure stems from data showing a sharp uptick in dog bites over the past year. According to state health records, Uttar Pradesh reported over 25,000 cases of animal bites in 2024 alone, with strays accounting for nearly 70% of incidents. “This is not about punishment but protection both for people and the animals themselves,” said Dr. Rajesh Kumar, director of the department. He added that first-time offenders will continue to be caught, neutered, and released back into controlled environments, promoting humane population management.

Local authorities in Lucknow and other districts have been instructed to form rapid-response units comprising municipal workers, veterinarians, and NGOs like the Humane Society International India. These teams must respond within 24 hours of a bite complaint, ensuring forensic identification of the dog via microchipping if possible. The guidelines also stress community education campaigns to reduce feeding of strays in public spaces, a practice blamed for emboldening aggressive behavior.

Critics within animal welfare circles have voiced concerns over shelter capacity, noting that Uttar Pradesh’s facilities are already overburdened. However, proponents argue the policy could drastically cut rabies deaths, which claimed 187 lives in the state last year per World Health Organization figures. Implementation begins statewide next month, with pilot programs already underway in high-incident zones like Varanasi and Agra.

The initiative reflects Uttar Pradesh’s broader push toward urban hygiene, following recent drives against open defecation and waste dumping that indirectly fuel stray populations. As bites often lead to painful post-exposure treatments, including the costly anti-rabies vaccine series, residents welcome the crackdown. “We’ve seen too many children scarred for life; it’s time for decisive action,” remarked Lucknow resident Priya Sharma, whose family endured a neighborhood attack last summer.

With enforcement backed by fines for non-compliant local bodies up to ₹50,000 per violation these rules signal a zero-tolerance era for unchecked stray aggression. Experts predict a 30-40% drop in incidents within the first year, provided funding for shelters keeps pace.