Mangaluru Launches Major Stray Dog Vaccination Drive for Rabies-Free Goal
In a significant move to combat rabies, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services has joined forces with the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) to launch a comprehensive vaccination drive targeting stray dogs across all 60 wards of the coastal city. This initiative aims to make Mangaluru rabies-free, aligning with broader state and national health objectives.
Partnership and Planning for Rabies Elimination
Dr. Arun Kumar Shetty, Deputy Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, highlighted the collaborative efforts. "We have held discussions with city corporation officials to launch drives through agencies to vaccinate all stray dogs in the city," he stated. This partnership is part of the State Action Plan for Rabies Elimination (SAPRE), which includes Mangaluru among 11 cities selected for the Rabies-free Cities initiative. The goal is to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies by 2030, a target also supported by the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP).
Dr. Shetty emphasized that rabies control is only effective through widespread vaccination of dogs. To facilitate this, vaccines are provided free of cost at veterinary clinics operated by the department. He noted that nearly one lakh pet dogs have already been vaccinated in Dakshina Kannada district, reflecting increased public awareness and participation.
Organizational Structure and Monitoring
To ensure coordinated action, district-level joint steering committees have been formed under SAPRE. Additionally, a city-level task force has been established in Mangaluru to support rabies elimination plans, with detailed action plans prepared for implementation. Vaccination drives are being conducted throughout Dakshina Kannada district, with a focus on both stray and pet dogs.
Rising Dog Bite Cases and Statistics
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by recent data on dog bite cases. In 2025, Dakshina Kannada reported 27,481 dog bite cases, a significant increase from 20,487 in 2023 and 20,071 in 2024. Dr. Shetty provided a breakdown of these cases, revealing that the majority involved pet dogs. Out of the 27,481 cases last year, 21,673 were related to pet dogs, while 5,808 involved stray dogs. This highlights the need for comprehensive vaccination efforts to protect both human and animal populations.
The vaccination drive represents a critical step towards achieving a rabies-free Mangaluru by 2030, addressing public health concerns and promoting community safety through proactive measures.
