Estimate of Stray Dog Population in India 2025

Rank	State/UT	Estimated Population (2025, Lakh)
1	Uttar Pradesh	20.6
2	Odisha	17.3
3	Maharashtra	12.8
4	Rajasthan	>10.0
5	Karnataka	>10.0
6	West Bengal	>10.0
7	Madhya Pradesh	>10.0
8	Bihar	~8.0
9	Gujarat	~8.5
10	Andhra Pradesh	~8.6
11	Punjab	~5.2
12	Delhi	~5.5
13	Telangana	~4.5
14	Kerala	~3.5
15	Haryana	~3.2
16	Jharkhand	~3.0
17	Chhattisgarh	~2.8
18	Assam	~2.5
19	Uttarakhand	~1.5
20	Himachal Pradesh	~1.2
21	Jammu & Kashmir	~1.0
22	Tripura	~0.8
23	Manipur	~0.5
24	Meghalaya	~0.4
25	Goa	~0.3
26	Arunachal Pradesh	~0.2
27	Mizoram	~0.07
28	Nagaland	~0.07
29	Sikkim	~0.05
30	Puducherry	~0.04
31	Chandigarh	~0.03
32	Andaman & Nicobar	~0.02
33	DNH & DD	~0.015
34	Ladakh	~0.01
35	Lakshadweep	~0.005

In India, the population of stray dogs in 2025 is estimated to be around 153 lakh (1.53 crore) across the country, presenting dangers such as bites and rabies, while also igniting discussions on animal welfare.

These street dogs wander through cities and villages in search of food.

This article analyzes the estimated stray dog populations in India’s 28 states and 8 Union Territories (UTs) for 2025, detailing the numbers, investigating why certain states have higher populations of strays, and examining the underlying factors contributing to this situation.

The estimates are derived from the 2019 Livestock Census, trends from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), and a projected annual growth rate of 2%, as comprehensive data for 2025 will not be available until 2026.

According to the 2025 estimates, Uttar Pradesh ranks first with 20.6 lakh strays, followed by Odisha with 17.3 lakh, Maharashtra with 12.8 lakh, and Rajasthan, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh each exceeding 10 lakh.

Bihar has approximately 8 lakh, while Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh each have around 8.5 lakh, and Punjab has 5.2 lakh.

Delhi’s stray dog population stands at 5.5 lakh, whereas smaller northeastern states such as Mizoram (0.07 lakh) and Sikkim (0.05 lakh) report very few strays.

These statistics are based on the 2019 census figures, adjusted for a 2% growth rate due to incomplete sterilization, as noted by the AWBI, since dogs tend to reproduce rapidly in areas lacking management.

What accounts for the high number of strays in states like Uttar Pradesh compared to the nearly nonexistent populations in northeastern regions?

Let us explore the reasons.

Reasons Behind the High Number of Stray Animals in Certain States

Uttar Pradesh and Odisha

Uttar Pradesh is home to 20.6 lakh stray dogs, a consequence of its 230 million residents producing significant food waste, sufficient to sustain millions of canines.

Urban areas such as Lucknow and Kanpur feature open garbage sites that attract dog packs.

In Odisha, the 17.3 lakh strays are primarily linked to rural areas, where 70% of them are found, according to the 2019 census, with fishing communities providing leftover food.

The high human density in both states (UP: 829 individuals per square kilometer) contributes to the proliferation of breeding opportunities.

Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh

In Maharashtra, the 12.8 lakh strays flourish in the slums of Mumbai, where 1.2 crore individuals dispose of food on a daily basis.

The expansion of urban areas leads to the formation of unsterilized dog packs, with 60% of the canine population in cities, as reported by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).

Madhya Pradesh, with over 10 lakh strays, sees their origin in the markets of Bhopal and the streets of Indore, where 50% of these dogs lack vaccinations, contributing to a national rabies case count of 20,000 each year.

Bihar and Gujarat

Bihar has approximately 8 lakh strays dispersed throughout its villages, where ineffective Animal Birth Control (ABC) initiatives manage to sterilize only 10% of the dog population, according to the AWBI.

In Gujarat, around 8.5 lakh strays are concentrated in the factories of Ahmedabad, where workers provide food for these animals, leading to an increase in their numbers.

Northeastern States and Union Territories

Mizoram, with 0.07 lakh strays, and Sikkim, with 0.05 lakh, experience low stray numbers due to limited urbanization (below 30%) and challenging hilly landscapes that restrict food availability.

Smaller Union Territories like Lakshadweep, which has only 0.005 lakh strays, see few dogs due to their isolated island status and stringent regulations.

What Are the Causes of High Stray Dog Populations?

Various factors account for the disparities and total numbers.

Human Population and Waste

India, with a population of 1.4 billion, generates 62 million tonnes of food waste annually, which feeds stray animals, according to FSSAI.

The high density in Uttar Pradesh exacerbates this issue, with 20% of dogs relying on food scraps. In rural Odisha, similar trends are observed, where 70% of strays reproduce without control.

Ineffective Sterilization Programs

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) aims for a 70% sterilization rate, but only 20% is currently achieved, based on 2024 statistics.

Urban initiatives in Maharashtra cover 30% of the dog population, yet the growth rate remains at 2% per year.

In Bihar, rural areas show a staggering 90% of dogs unsterilized, contributing to the increasing population.

Urbanization and Rabies Threats

Cities such as Delhi, with 5.5 lakh stray dogs, attract these animals due to waste availability, but rabies claims the lives of 20,000 Indians each year, as reported by WHO.

The northeastern hills discourage dog packs due to limited food resources.

Cultural Perspectives

In Gujarat, feeding stray dogs is a common practice that helps maintain their populations.

Conversely, communities in the northeast regard dogs as protectors, which leads to a decrease in strays through adoption.

Are These Figures Trustworthy?

The total of 153 lakh is derived from the 2019 census (1.49 crore) with an estimated 2% growth due to shortcomings in the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program.

State statistics align with census rankings; however, underreporting (10-15%) in rural regions may conceal a larger population. The complete census data for 2025 could result in adjustments of ±5%.

What Strategies Can India Implement to Control Stray Dogs?

India must enhance its ABC initiatives, aiming for a 50% sterilization rate by 2026, as Maharashtra’s programs have reduced dog bites by 20%.

Vaccination efforts, which have reached 40% of dogs in Delhi, are crucial for rabies prevention. Since 2020, adoption initiatives in Odisha have successfully placed 10,000 dogs into homes.

Source

• Animal Welfare Board of India. (2024). Annual report 2023-24: Animal birth control and rabies control programs. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.
• Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. (2019). 20th Livestock Census 2019: All India report. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.