Strategic affairs expert Sushant Sareen on Tuesday raised alarm over the increasing number of stray dog attacks across the country, calling it a serious civic issue that is making neighbourhoods hard to live in.

Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Sareen wrote:

“At least one MP is raising a serious issue. Our localities are becoming unlivable because of this stray dog menace. Going for a walk, even to a local market, has become impossible because of packs of strays. 3.7 million dog bites should be unacceptable for any local or state government.”

Rising number of dog bite incidents causing concern

Sareen’s post comes at a time when public concern is growing over the safety of citizens, especially children, as several recent deaths have been linked to stray dog attacks and rabies infections.

In Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr, 22-year-old kabaddi player Brijesh Solanki lost his life on June 28 after being bitten by a stray puppy he had rescued. He later died from rabies.

In Kerala’s Kasaragod, a 7-year-old boy, M.K. Anand, died in May even after being vaccinated. A rabid dog had bitten him on the face and hand.

Earlier in April, a 7-year-old boy in Bareilly was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs while playing near his home.

India records around 3.7 million dog bite cases every year, a figure that many experts and citizens believe is far too high for authorities to ignore. 

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