Over 100 dog bite cases a day in Chandigarh, but only 73 victims compensated in a year
Even as dog bite cases have surged sharply in Chandigarh over the past five years, only a small fraction of victims have received compensation from the Administration. Between 2020 and 2024, the UT Health Department recorded over 1.5 lakh dog bite cases — with annual cases rising from 20,344 in 2020 to 40,153 in 2024. Yet, since July 2023, when the compensation committee was formed on High Court directions, just 470 people have submitted claims, and only 73 have received payouts so far — a glaring mismatch given the scale of the crisis.
The numbers show a disturbing upward trend: 20,344 cases in 2020 jumped to 23,875 in 2021, 29,190 in 2022, 36,300 in 2023, and further to 40,153 cases in 2024. In just the first two months of 2025, 6,439 more dog bites have already been recorded. On average, Chandigarh is now witnessing over 3,300 dog bite cases each month — more than 100 incidents every single day — pointing to a rapidly deteriorating situation on the ground.
According to Municipal Corporation officials, of the 470 applications received by the compensation committee — 300 in 2024 and 170 so far in 2025 — only 190 have been approved, and just 73 have received payment. Another 98 are under the payment process. Nearly 50 applications have been rejected after the committee found discrepancies such as unverified claims or misleading medical records, said Dr Gaurav Lakhanpal, Nodal Officer, Dog Control Cell. But with such an overwhelming number of bite cases, Dr Lakhanpal's assertion that the committee has managed to pay just 73 victims in nearly a year raises serious questions about the efficacy and pace of the process.
The committee, constituted after a Punjab and Haryana High Court directive, is meant to provide compensation starting at ₹10,000 per tooth mark and ₹20,000 per 0.2 cm of torn flesh, up to a maximum of ₹2 lakh. But victims say the process is far too slow.
Responding to the complaints, Dr Lakhanpal said, 'After the committee was formed, we had to process both fresh and old cases. Many applications had outdated photographs or incomplete documentation, which takes time to verify with hospitals. Usually, we try to clear payments within three months, but the timeline depends on how quickly medical records can be verified.'
He also alleged that several applications turned out to be bogus. 'Some people passed off pet dog bites as stray dog attacks. Others exaggerated injuries to claim more money. We have even seen instances of old, unrelated photos being submitted,' he said. In 2024 alone, the Dog Control Cell received 1,014 bite-related calls, but only 289 were confirmed as actual cases after verification, he added.
Health officials have warned that dog bites must be treated with urgency. 'Any dog bite can result in a serious infection or rabies, which can be fatal. The wound must be cleaned immediately with soap and water, and the patient must rush to the nearest health facility,' said Dr Suman Singh, Director, Health Services, Chandigarh. 'We provide the full anti-rabies vaccine course free of cost at GMSH-16, and Sector 19 and 38 civil hospitals. People even come from Panchkula and Mohali for treatment. Outside, each injection costs ₹350, and five are needed.'
The urgency of the issue was underscored by a recent attack on 65-year-old Madhavi Suri, a Sector 11 resident, who was bitten twice on the leg by a stray dog while on an evening walk. 'There was no provocation. A cyclist scared the dog away with a brick,' she said. 'The wounds were bleeding, and I needed tetanus and rabies shots. The incident has left me shaken. These dogs are a menace. Despite complaints, no action is taken, and some residents keep feeding them without any responsibility.'
Just days earlier, seven-year-old Isha Mehra of Sector 10 was mauled by two stray dogs while playing at Leisure Valley. 'They lunged and bit her on the forearm,' said her mother, Sunaina. 'My daughter is traumatised and refuses to go to the park now. If our children are not safe in public spaces, what do we do?'
How to apply for dog bite compensation
Victims or their families must apply to the Medical Officer of Health (MoH), Sector 17, Chandigarh, with the following:
* FIR/DDR mentioning the incident
* Medical report detailing the injury
* Proof of treatment and expenses
The committee may also review prescriptions, treatment history, and any police complaints.
Where to report a dog bite
Call the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation helpline: 0172-278-7200
Compensation policy
Framed by the Local Government Department on High Court directions (notification dated July 2), the policy offers:
* Rs 10,000 per teeth mark
* Rs 20,000 per 0.2 cm of torn flesh (up to Rs 2 lakh)
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