Bitten by a stray or pet dog in India? What to do — first aid and anti-rabies vaccine, complaint to the municipal body and police (BNS s.291), compensation (Punjab & Haryana HC formula, State schemes, High Court writ) and the Supreme Court’s 2025–26 stray dog orders (2026)
Plain guide for victims and parents after a dog bite or dog attack: immediate medical steps, keeping proof, complaining to the municipal corporation or panchayat, police action against a careless pet owner, the routes to claim compensation, and what the Supreme Court has said about stray dogs in schools, hospitals and other public places. Educational only — not legal or medical advice. Adhiwakta does not file complaints or claims for you.
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Right now: wash the wound and get the vaccine
Wash the bite or scratch thoroughly with soap and running water for about 15 minutes and apply an antiseptic — the National Rabies Control Programme advises this as the most important first aid. Do not apply chilli, oil, turmeric or other home remedies, and do not delay. Go to the nearest government hospital or health centre the same day for anti-rabies vaccine; deep bites or bites on the face, head or hands may also need rabies immunoglobulin. Complete every dose on the schedule your doctor gives. Under the National Rabies Control Programme, the vaccine is made available in government health facilities, generally without charge, and the Supreme Court directed States in May 2026 to keep anti-rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin available in all government medical facilities.
Keep proof from day one
Ask the hospital for the OPD / treatment slip and vaccination card, and if the injury is serious ask for a medico-legal (MLC) entry. Take photos of the wounds (with a scale or coin for size), the place, and the dog if safe. Note the date, time, exact location, and names and numbers of witnesses. Keep all bills — medicines, travel, lost wages. If it was a pet dog, note the owner’s name and address. These papers are needed for any complaint or compensation claim.
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Write in Hindi or English · general guidance, not legal advice
Complain to the municipal body or panchayat
Stray dog sterilisation and vaccination are the duty of the local body under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. Report the bite and the location to your municipal corporation / council (helpline, app or written complaint to the veterinary or dog-control section) or to the gram panchayat / Block office in villages, and keep the complaint number. Mention if the dog seems aggressive or possibly rabid, or if many bites have happened at the same spot. Do not beat, poison or kill the dog — harming animals is an offence (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 s.11; BNS s.325, old IPC 428 / 429).
What the Supreme Court has ordered on stray dogs
In its suo motu case on stray dogs, the Supreme Court by order dated 7 November 2025 directed that stray dogs be removed from institutional areas such as schools and colleges, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands / depots and railway stations, sterilised and vaccinated, kept in shelters and not released back to the same place; its judgment of 19 May 2026 (2026 INSC 506) upheld this, asked States to set up at least one Animal Birth Control centre in every district, and said groups feeding dogs inside campuses must accept liability by affidavit. During a hearing on 13 January 2026, the Bench also said orally that it may ask States to pay heavy compensation for dog-bite injuries — check the latest orders before relying on this. If a dog bite happens inside such a premises, write to the head of the institution and the local body citing these orders.
Pet dog bite — police complaint against the owner
An owner who knowingly or negligently fails to control a dog that may endanger human life or cause grievous hurt can be prosecuted under BNS s.291 (old IPC s.289; up to six months, or fine up to ₹5,000, or both). Give a written complaint at the police station with the medical papers; for serious injuries other BNS provisions may also be considered by the police. An Executive Magistrate can also pass a conditional order to confine or dispose of a dangerous animal under BNSS s.152 (old CrPC s.133). Many cities require pet dogs to be registered and leashed in public — check your municipal bye-laws. The owner can also be sued for damages in a civil court.
Compensation — the routes available
There is no single national compensation amount. (1) Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh: the Punjab & Haryana High Court (2023) directed district committees headed by the Deputy Commissioner to decide claims within four months, with a minimum of ₹10,000 per tooth mark and ₹20,000 per 0.2 cm of wound where flesh is pulled off, the State being primarily liable. (2) State schemes: some States have schemes for death or permanent disability caused by stray animals — for example Haryana’s DAYALU-II (2023). Ask your District Collector’s office or local body whether your State has one. (3) Elsewhere, victims have approached the High Court under Article 226 for compensation from the State / municipal body for failure to control stray dogs, or filed a civil suit for damages. Results depend on the court and facts.
For children and the elderly
Children often hide small bites or scratches — ask them, and treat every bite seriously. Teach children not to run from, tease or disturb dogs that are eating or with puppies. If bites keep happening near a school, parents can write jointly to the school head and the local body, and keep copies; collective complaints are taken more seriously.
How Adhiwakta can help
We do not file complaints, claims or petitions, and we do not give medical advice — see a doctor immediately after any bite. Adhiwakta is a facilitation platform, not a law firm. We do not file cases, appear before any authority, or promise any result. Use Ask Adhiwakta to describe your situation for general guidance from an independent advocate, or start with the AI helper to organise your facts and papers. Educational only — not formal legal advice.
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Frequently asked questions
- What should I do immediately after a dog bite?
- Wash the wound with soap and running water for about 15 minutes, apply antiseptic, and go to a government hospital the same day for anti-rabies vaccine. Deep bites may also need rabies immunoglobulin. Complete all doses.
- Is anti-rabies vaccine available at government hospitals?
- Yes. Under the National Rabies Control Programme it is made available in government health facilities, generally without charge, and the Supreme Court in May 2026 directed States to keep vaccine and immunoglobulin available in all government medical facilities.
- Can I get compensation for a stray dog bite?
- Possibly, but there is no single national amount. In Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh the High Court fixed a minimum of ₹10,000 per tooth mark; some States have schemes; elsewhere people approach the High Court under Article 226 or file a civil suit. Outcomes depend on facts.
- My neighbour’s pet dog bit me. Can I file an FIR?
- Yes, a police complaint can be given. BNS s.291 (old IPC 289) punishes an owner who negligently fails to control a dangerous animal. Keep the medical papers and witness details. You can also claim damages in a civil court.
- Where do I complain about aggressive stray dogs in my area?
- To your municipal corporation / council (dog-control or veterinary section, helpline or app) or the gram panchayat, which handle sterilisation and vaccination under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. Keep the complaint number.
- Can I hurt or kill a dog that bit me?
- No. Killing, maiming or poisoning an animal is an offence (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act s.11; BNS s.325). Report it to the local body and police instead.
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