Kodagu Reports Over 9,000 Dog-Bite Cases in Two Years, District Plans Dedicated Shelters for Strays

Meeting held in Madikeri on Tuesday to discuss measures to curb the growing stray dog menace, following recent directions from the Supreme Court.(Image used for representation purpose only)

Madikeri: Kodagu district has recorded a worrying rise in dog-bite cases, registering 4,872 cases in 2024 and 4,217 cases between January and October 2025, according to District Health and Family Welfare Officer Satish Kumar. He shared the data during a meeting held in Madikeri on Tuesday to discuss measures to curb the growing stray dog menace, following recent directions from the Supreme Court.

Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja chaired the meeting, which brought together officials from urban and rural local bodies, including city municipal councils, town municipal councils, town panchayats, and gram panchayats. Stressing the need for immediate intervention, the Deputy Commissioner directed all local bodies to identify at least one acre of land within their jurisdiction for the relocation and care of stray dogs. He instructed that the sites should be secured with a compound wall and provided with basic facilities to ensure the animals’ safety.

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Raja also emphasised the importance of appointing nodal officers to carry out routine inspections and monitor the implementation of stray dog control measures. He said both government and private hospitals must maintain an adequate stock of anti-rabies vaccines to provide timely treatment to victims.

“Whenever cases of dog bites or attacks by animals are reported, local body officials must be alerted immediately. Hospitals must ensure prompt emergency medical services and first aid,” he said.

During the meeting, Madikeri City Municipal Council Commissioner H.R. Ramesh informed that 1.5 acres on the outskirts of Madikeri have already been earmarked for a dedicated stray dog shelter.

The Deputy Commissioner instructed officials to take similar steps in Somwarpet, Kushalnagar, Ponnampet, and Gonikoppal, ensuring that each region has a designated space to manage stray dog populations more effectively.

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