Rabies is common in most parts of India.The Association for the Prevention and Control of Rabies in India (APCRI) reported in 2004 that there were 20,565 reported human deaths over the period of one year. Due to mis-diagnosis and under-reporting the actual number of rabies deaths is believed to be higher.In India, every year, more than 20,000 people die from Rabies.
Approximately 70% of the victims of rabies in India are children under fifteen. India's Rabies deaths make up nearly 36% of the total deaths due to Rabies, world-wide. While the rest of the industrialized world has effectively eliminated rabies in domesticated animal populations, India has not made a dent in the problem. Awareness and education on prevention is terribly lacking.
Nearly 96% of rabies cases are due to bites from stray, ownerless, dogs.
The dog population of India is around 25 to 30 million animals.
The city of Delhi alone, is said to have an estimated 200,000
stray dogs. http://www.neoncarrot.co.uk/
The vision of the APCRI includes the aim, "To work for improvement of stray dog control measures with a humane approach and strict implementation of laws of licensing of pets by municipal authorities and routine immunization."
Many reputable animal welfare agencies exist in India, and they do the work which isn't done by the municipal authorities, who seem more interested in global positioning than the quality of life in their own country, or the welfare of their own people.
(Directors note: sorry if that bothers you, India, but it's true.)
Here are but a few of the organizations working in India. They could use your support.
PawsIndia.org
friendicoes.org
circleofanimallovers.org
AnimalSavior.org
and for an exhaustive list (some links are dead) try:Dogs In India.com
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