Dakshina Kannada to set up stray dog shelters across all taluks

Dakshina Kannada to set up stray dog shelters across all taluks

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Mar 28, 2026: Responding to a rise in complaints over stray dogs, the district administration has decided to set up dedicated shelters in all taluks of Dakshina Kannada, Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V. said.

Speaking after chairing a district-level health department surveillance committee meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Friday, he said the process has already begun, with initial steps underway to establish a facility in Mangaluru taluk.

The Deputy Commissioner also directed urban local bodies and gram panchayats to implement effective measures, including birth control programmes, to regulate the stray dog population.

He instructed health officials to maintain adequate stocks of vaccines and essential medicines at health centres to handle cases of dog bites, snake bites and similar emergencies. He urged the public to seek timely medical attention to prevent complications.

District Surveillance Officer Dr Naveen Chandra said the district recorded 20,487 dog bite cases in 2023, 20,071 in 2024 and 27,481 in 2025, covering both stray and pet dog incidents. Of the 2025 cases, 21,673 were attributed to pet dogs and 5,808 to stray dogs.

He added that two deaths due to dog bites have been reported over the past three years, while 10 people lost their lives to snake bites during the same period.

On leptospirosis (rat fever), he said 203 cases were reported in 2023, 283 in 2024 and 265 in 2025, with three deaths recorded in 2023 and 2024.

District Health Officer Dr Thimmayya noted that growing public awareness about the risks associated with dog and snake bites has led to more people seeking prompt treatment, contributing to a rise in reported cases.

Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry Arun Kumar Shetty, Joint Director of Agriculture Honnapppa Gowda and other officials were present at the meeting.