Over 10 lakh street dogs across Madhya Pradesh:Indore reports most attacks; in Bhopal, stray released at same spots after 50 daily sterilizations

Madhya Pradesh has over ten lakh stray dogs, with Indore, Bhopal, Ujjain, Gwalior, and Jabalpur accounting for more than 600,000 of them.
These cities have also reported the highest number of dog bite incidents, according to data from the National Health Mission (NHM). The issue has gained renewed attention after the Supreme Court on Friday issued a nationwide directive regarding stray animals. The court ruled that the Rajasthan High Court’s order on removing stray cattle from all state and national highways will apply across India. It also instructed authorities to fence hospitals, schools, and college campuses to prevent stray dog attacks. Following the judgment, a detailed review was conducted in Madhya Pradesh to assess the state of street dog control — and the findings are alarming. Madhya Pradesh has over 10 lakh stray dogs As per 2022 data, Madhya Pradesh had 1,009,000 street dogs, with Bhopal alone housing over 150,000. The state capital also recorded 19,285 dog bite cases in 2024, and between January and June 2025, another 10,795 cases were reported. Indore topped the list with 30,304 cases, followed by Gwalior (11,902), Jabalpur (13,619), and Ujjain (10,296). The NHM has included six Madhya Pradesh cities under the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP) and has directed them to prepare action plans to achieve rabies-free status by 2030. Ground reality: Stray dogs in hospitals and schools A ground survey in Bhopal revealed that over 20 stray dogs were spotted inside JP District Hospital premises alone — posing a serious threat to patients and attendants. The Bhopal Municipal Corporation operates three Animal Birth Control (ABC) centers in Kajlikheda, Adampur, and Arwaliya, performing around 22,000 sterilizations annually — averaging 50 per day. However, after sterilization, the dogs are released at the same location from where they were caught, often leading to recurring conflicts. Why dog bite cases rise in winter According to Dr. Ajay Ramteke, former Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, extreme weather — both cold and heat — triggers aggressive behavior in dogs. “Winter is the breeding season. Dogs become territorial and defensive while protecting their pups,” he explained.
During summer, dehydration and food scarcity also contribute to irritability and aggression among strays. Key reasons for aggressive street dog behavior Experts cite four main factors behind the rising aggressiveness of street dogs: Among these, the low sterilization rate remains the most significant concern. A comparison of sterilization data and dog population in urban Madhya Pradesh reveals a wide gap, suggesting that current efforts are insufficient to control the growing stray population. The way forward While authorities continue daily sterilization drives, experts emphasize the need for a comprehensive and sustained approach, including mass vaccination, public awareness, and improved shelter management, to curb both the stray dog population and bite incidents across Madhya Pradesh.