October 13, 2025 – Pune: A senior Army doctor stationed at Southern Command Hospital in Pune was attacked by a pack of stray dogs outside the Vishwamitra Colony residential area in Ghorpadi. The incident occurred around 6:30 PM while the officer was dropping off his daughter for tuition. The dogs lunged at him, causing injuries to his legs. He received immediate medical attention at the Command Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.
This attack has reignited long-standing concerns about the growing stray dog population within the Pune Cantonment Board limits. Between January and July 2025, the Dakshin Maharashtra and Goa Sub Area’s Local Military Authority reported approximately 1,000 incidents of dog-human conflict, including bites and chases. Areas like Ghorpadi, Wanowrie, and Lullanagar have been particularly affected, with schools such as Kendriya Vidyalaya in Pune Cantonment and Lullanagar recently reporting multiple incidents, prompting security measures like increased compound wall heights.
Residents and military personnel have criticized the lack of effective animal birth control (ABC) and vaccination drives, claiming that the private agency contracted by the Pune Cantonment Board has made no significant impact due to inadequate funding and coordination.
Animal welfare activists, including Vineeta Tandon, have blamed the Local Military Authority for not granting permission to conduct sterilization drives in military zones, especially in high-security and residential colonies.
Conflicts also surround dog feeding zones, with activists labeling current efforts as unscientific and lacking proper oversight under ABC rules. Issues such as unauthorized relocation of stray dogs from other municipal areas further complicate the situation.
The incident in Pune is part of a broader, alarming trend of fatal dog attacks across India. In 2025 alone, several tragic cases have been reported:
Chennai (August 2025): A 55-year-old man was mauled to death by a Pitbull in the Jafferkhanpet area. The victim succumbed to his injuries on the spot.
Bengaluru (July 2025): A 70-year-old man was attacked and killed by a pack of stray dogs while out for a walk in the Kodigehalli locality.
Samastipur, Bihar (2025): A 13-year-old boy was fatally attacked by stray dogs, highlighting the vulnerability of children to such incidents.
Balangir, Odisha (August 2025): A national-level para-athlete and a farmer were killed by stray dogs, despite having received post-bite vaccinations.
These incidents underscore the urgent need for effective measures to control the stray dog population and prevent further tragedies.
In response to growing concerns over stray dog attacks, Delhi has initiated measures to manage the stray dog population. On August 22, 2025, the Supreme Court directed that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR be removed from the streets and shifted into permanent shelters. This decision has sparked debates: some welcomed it as a safety step, while others criticized it as impractical and unfair to animals.
The Delhi government has launched a sterilization and vaccination campaign for stray dogs, following the Supreme Court's directives. Under this initiative, 24 government veterinary hospitals have been converted into vaccination centers. The program mirrors Lucknow's successful model, which is based on a 'capture, sterilize, vaccinate, and release' approach hailed as humane and effective.
However, challenges remain. Animal welfare activists have raised concerns about the capacity of shelters to accommodate the large number of stray dogs.
(Rh/Eth/ARC/MSM)
