Children and senior citizens have become frequent victims, as several neighbourhoods witness regular chases and attacks.
Residents of Belagavi city and nearby areas are living in fear amid a growing stray dog menace. Between January and September 2025, 16,105 dog-bite cases were recorded across the district, resulting in eight deaths.
Despite continuous complaints, the district administration and city corporation have taken little action. Packs of stray dogs continue to roam the streets, especially near butcher shops and garbage dumps, where waste disposal remains poor.
Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. In Sahyadri Nagar, a young boy walking home alone was mauled by stray dogs. The attack, captured on CCTV, left him seriously injured and in need of hospital care.
Belagavi city reportedly has over 16,000 stray dogs. Locals allege that poor implementation of sterilisation drives and failure to capture aggressive dogs have worsened the situation. Although the Belagavi City Corporation sets aside around ₹1 crore annually to control the stray population, residents claim the funds are not being effectively used.
“Stray dogs have become a serious threat. People fear walking alone, and several have fallen and been injured after being chased while riding two-wheelers. Authorities must intervene before more lives are lost,” said Mahadevi Koli, a Belagavi resident.
District Health Officer Dr. Ishwar Gadad told reporters “If treatment is delayed after a dog bite, rabies infection is almost always fatal. Fortunately, awareness about prompt vaccination has improved, and most victims now visit hospitals quickly. Completing the five-dose anti-rabies vaccine prevents rabies entirely.”
Municipal Commissioner Shubha B. acknowledged that the absence of a sterilisation and shelter facility has aggravated the issue. “We currently lack a dog sterilisation centre in Belagavi. Land near K.K. Kopp village has been identified to establish one soon, which will help bring the stray population under control,” she said.
Health officials have urged the public not to ignore bites. “Wash the wound immediately with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes, then visit the nearest government hospital,” they advised.
With mounting complaints and repeated attacks, Belagavi’s stray dog problem has emerged as a pressing public health concern that requires immediate attention from civic and health authorities.
