Pune Sees Dramatic Drop in Rabies Cases Among Stray Dogs
Public health and animal welfare initiatives yield significant results
A remarkable decrease in rabies-infected stray dogs has been observed in Pune over recent years. Data released by the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) Health department highlights this success, marking a significant win for public health and animal welfare in the city.
Rabies Incidence Plummets
The number of suspected rabies cases in stray dogs has seen a steep decline. In 2018, 373 suspected cases were reported. By August 4, 2025, this figure had dropped to just 19. Similarly, confirmed rabies cases have reduced drastically from 220 in 2018 to a mere 3 this year.
The overall positivity rate, which represents the proportion of suspected dogs testing positive for rabies, has also shrunk. This rate, previously as high as 75% in 2020 and 2021, has now fallen to 15% in 2025. This trend reflects the effectiveness of the public health interventions implemented.
Vaccination and Awareness Drive Credit
According to Dr. Sarika Funde-Bhosale, chief veterinary officer at PMC, the reduction is largely due to extensive vaccination campaigns, public awareness initiatives, and improved execution of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme.
“Over the past four years, we have successfully administered 191,466 doses of vaccination to stray dogs and community dogs.”
—Dr. Sarika Funde-Bhosale, Chief Veterinary Officer, PMC
The PMC’s strategy involves identifying suspected rabid dogs through their squad and admitting them to quarantine facilities for observation and testing. If found uninfected, the dogs are released back into their original localities. Carcasses of deceased dogs undergo rigorous testing, including rapid antigen and PCR tests on brain tissue.
Rabies-positive findings trigger immediate follow-up measures, such as mass vaccination drives and community outreach to enhance public understanding. The successful reduction in rabies cases has also been accompanied by a significant boost in public awareness regarding prompt reporting of dog bites and the importance of timely post-exposure prophylaxis.
Broader Impact of Animal Control
The success in Pune mirrors efforts in other regions. For instance, a comprehensive animal birth control and anti-rabies vaccination program in Goa saw a 70% reduction in dog bite incidents reported to the Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services between 2018 and 2022, according to a study published in the Journal of Preventive Veterinary Medicine (Journal of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2023).
These initiatives underscore the vital link between effective animal management programs and improved human health outcomes.