Stray dog bite cases in Kerala rose by over 100% and there was a three-fold increase in rabies deaths in seven years, figures from assembly records show. In 2024, 3.16 lakh dog bite cases were reported in the state, and 26 rabies deaths were recorded. The corresponding figures in 2017 are 1.35 lakh dog bite cases and 8 deaths. In less than a decade, the state has recorded an alarming rise of 133% in dog bites.

The highest number of stray dog bites was recorded in Thiruvananthapuram in 2024; 50,870 followed by Kollam; 37,618. As per the livestock census, 2019, the state has a population of 2.89 lakh stray dogs. The state government currently runs 15 animal birth control centres and places have been identified for five more centres in Kerala. LSG Minister M B Rajesh has said that steps are being undertaken to initiate a portable ABC centre in Thiruvananthapuram as a pilot project using the CSR fund of Indian Immunological limited.

Four days ago, five people at Vallikkunnu near Kayamkulam sustained injuries after being bitten by a stray dog. An elderly woman had sustained wounds to her face in the attack. The issue of stray dogs has posed serious health concerns and put an enormous financial burden on the state. Local bodies in Kerala allotted Rs 47.6 crore for the vaccination of stray dogs, the ABC programme and the Rabies free Kerala project in 2024-25. The Supreme Court has appointed Justice (Rtd.) Siri Jagan Committee to decide on the compensation to be awarded to the victims of stray dog menace in Kerala. 

The Supreme Court in its judgment in 2018 ordered that it would be the obligation of the state to see that the compensation for stray dog victims as recommended by the Justice (Rtd.) Siri Jagan Committee is strictly complied with and if it is not complied with the competent authorities of the State shall be liable for contempt of the Supreme Court and be adequately punished. The 41st report of the committee recommended the payment of compensation to the victims with interest @ 9% from the date of claim till payment. The committee recommended compensation ranging between Rs 30,000 - Rs 17 lakhs to 35 victims of various local bodies in the state.

The state government has blamed the rules framed by the centre as a major impediment in the implementation of ABC programme. The High Court in December 2021 had directed the state government to immediately restrain Kudumbashree from carrying out ABC procedures.

Minister M B Rajesh has said that as per the central rules, no local self-government is allowed to open ABC centres without a certificate of project recognition issued by the Animal Welfare Board. Each centre must have a veterinary doctor who had conducted over 2,000 surgeries. Kennels, operation theatre, pre-operative and post-operative facilities, CCTV, ambulance, air-conditioned isolation wards, refrigerators, facilities to store removed organs and incinerators should be arranged in the ABC centres.