Stray dog attacks in India

India has the highest number of attacks by stray dogs in the world. In Indian cities, stray dog attacks are considered a danger to children and old people. India has 36% of all rabies deaths in the world. India also has the largest number of stray dogs in the world, along with the highest cases of rabies deaths. Most rabies deaths are unreported. In compliance with Animal Birth Control rules, 2001, stray dogs may not be killed, only sterilized. Municipalities lack the money to sterilize stray dogs. Most Indians believe that stray dog attacks are common in their area and that the municipality does not take the necessary steps to reduce dog bites. Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra has the highest number of stray dogs. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal has the highest number of dog bites. A law created in 2001 to save stray dogs has resulted in an increase in stray dogs, as the law prevents the killing of any stray dog. Small babies are mauled to death by stray dogs in India. The Bihar government found that stray dog bites are the third largest cause of disease in the state.

Stray dogs may be rabid, hurt, hungry, traumatised or anxious, or protecting their puppies. In such cases, the canines may attack if provoked or feel a threat.

The stray dog attacks has been a result of a host of factors including negligence of the government and animal welfare organisations, and individual apathy.

Attacks on wildlife, livestock and fauna
Indian stray dogs kill endangered species and livestock in national parks, sanctuaries, buffer zones, and protected areas. Indian farmers have complained that stray dogs kill their livestock.

Researchers at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment have studied the impact of stray dogs on their surroundings in India. Golden langur, the great Indian bustard and green turtles were attacked by dogs in protected areas. Other research has also found that dogs are a threat to the ecosystem and endangered species all over India. Dogs attacked endangered stags in Kashmir, olive ridley eggs and hatchlings, killed foxes, endangered great Indian bustards, wild ass, Gazelle, Nilgai, Blackbuck and deer in sanctuaries.

Previous studies have shown that domesticated dogs endangered 188 species of animals and have caused 11 mass extinctions globally. Domestic dogs are regarded as aggressive mammalian predators. Stray dogs killed barking deer, sambar deer, spotted deer, jungle cats and leopards in forest areas of Munnar and Marayoor. In Rajasthan, the endangered Great Indian bustard is facing a major threat from stray dogs who kill the birds and even destroy their eggs. In Himachal Pradesh, the dogs are a threat to native wildlife like blue sheep, red panda, musk deer, Red foxes, weasels, martens, pika and marmots. The Himachal government said feral dogs were a threat to the ecosystem. In Hisar, Haryana, stray dogs killed 78% of wildlife in five years.

The Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) have called for strict action to end the menace of stray dogs after the highly endangered stripe-necked mongoose was mauled to death by stray dogs.

Responses
Kerala's government faced opposition when they decided to cull dangerous dogs infected with rabies that were biting people. Kerala citizens hired vigilantes to kill dogs after children were attacked by dogs and hospitalized.