Response to the Editorial “Dogs Day Out and a Stalemate”

Dear Editor, We read the editorial by Dr. Banerjee A. “Dogs Day Out and a Stalemate,” published in recent issue of the Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Nov-Dec 2025-Volume 18, Issue 6.[1] The author has highlighted the need for a feasible and compassionate approach in managing the stray dog population and the rabies. More over the title “Dogs Day Out” is a clever choice, reminiscent of the popular film “Baby’s Day Out,” capturing attention while framing a complex public health challenge. Rabies though preventable, leads to approximately 60000 deaths annually largely in Asia and Africa, with India accounting one-third of cases.[2] This disease represents the failure to ensure timely post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) despite decades of availability of vaccines and sera. The issue demands a One Health perspective, integrating human, animal, and environmental health as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organization for Animal Health.[3] As Mani[2] emphasizes the WHO aim for zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030 and to achieve this goal requires bridging the gap between scientific advances and field realities. The active involvement of veterinary sectors, municipal corporations, and community engagement is necessary for effective rabies control. Strengthening inter-sectoral coordination and adopting a One Health approach at the national, state, district, and block levels are key strategies for the programmed. Rabies is a good example of the One Health approach. The National Action Plan for Rabies Elimination (NAPRE) was developed to reduce rabies risk through mass dog vaccinations, pre and post exposure prophylaxis of humans and public education. It also emphasizes on both human and animal health components to strengthen surveillance, increase vaccination, manage stray dog populations through anti-rabies vaccination and neutering and improving case management. The NAPRE aims to eliminate dog-mediated rabies by 2030. However, Public engagement through local bodies, and animal welfare organizations must complement biomedical interventions ensuring compassionate treatment of animals while protecting human life. Newer rabies vaccines and monoclonal antibody—have revolutionized PEP and marks a transformative step in rabies prophylaxis in India. But despite this, lack of receiving PEP, incomplete course of PEP and very low use of rabies immunoglobulins have played role in the human deaths.[2,4] The National Medical Commission advisory September 2025 mandates Medical Colleges to ensure timely management, surveillance, training, and community awareness that all animal-bite and suspected rabies cases to be notified to the State Nodal Officer under the National Rabies Control Programmed (NRCP).[5] The advisory would strengthen surveillance, documentation, and preparedness for achieving “Zero rabies by 30.” The editorial has emphasized the need for compassionate and intersectoral action. India has the scientific tools and policy frameworks; what is required is political will and sustained investment. As Mani[2] concludes, rabies elimination in India is not a dream—it is a choice. Author contribution Dr. Sanjay Dabhade – Literature Review Dr. A.V Tilak and Dr. B.T Rane – Manuscript guidance Dr. Saniya Shah – Manuscript draft Data availability statement The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from corresponding author. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.