Soraba dog-bite cases reached 1,522 between January and August 2026, according to records from primary health centres and the government public hospital in Soraba taluk, raising concern over the increasing presence of stray dogs in residential and public areas.
The cases were recorded among people who received anti-rabies vaccination after being bitten. Health records show 253 cases in January, 204 in February, 176 in March, 202 in April, 167 in May, 167 in June, 191 in July and 162 in August. The figures indicate that more than 150 dog-bite cases were reported in each month during the eight-month period.
Residents have reported increased stray-dog activity in Soraba town and rural areas, particularly near bus stands, schools, anganwadis, main roads, hospitals, hotels and meat shops. According to the report, groups of dogs have been seen chasing pedestrians and motorists, while children have also been bitten in some areas.
The presence of dogs on roads has also been linked to accidents involving two-wheelers. Residents said riders have fallen and suffered injuries after dogs suddenly crossed or chased them. Local resident Rashid Khan alleged that some people bring puppies from rural areas and abandon them in the town, contributing to the increase in the stray-dog population.
Khan also alleged that the civic body had not taken effective steps such as sterilisation to control the population, despite complaints from residents. He said the civic body’s responses had been limited to assurances and that residents were concerned about who would be responsible if an aggressive dog seriously injured someone.
The report did not include a response from the civic body to the residents’ allegations. It also did not provide a count of the stray-dog population, details of sterilisation operations or information on any municipal programme for managing dogs in public areas.
Taluk health officer Harsha Patil said anti-rabies vaccines were available at primary health centres and that people who reported dog bites were being vaccinated at the relevant facilities. He said no rabies case had been recorded in the taluk during the eight-month period.
The health department also recorded 85 snakebite cases in Soraba taluk between January and August. Most of these cases involved people working in agricultural fields and rural areas, according to the report. Patil said anti-snake venom was available at primary health centres and that no deaths had been reported from snakebite during the period.
The immediate public-health response for dog bites remains the availability of vaccination at government health facilities. Further information on municipal action, including sterilisation, containment of aggressive dogs and management of waste around food businesses, was not included in the report.
