The number of people dying or getting injured due to animal attacks increased by 19 per cent in 2022 compared to 2021, according to the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) report.
Crime in India 2022 released by the central government on December 4, 2023 showed that as many as 1,510 deaths and injuries were recorded in the country due to animal attacks in 2022, compared to 1,264 in 2021.
Among the dead or injured by animals, the number of males accounted for 1,205 and women for 305, the analysis showed.
The maximum number of people injured or dead were in the 45-60 years age bracket, with 378 men and 106 women. It was followed by 437 people aged 30-45 years, comprising 356 men and 81 women.
Most of the cases were reported from Maharashtra (225), followed by Uttar Pradesh (182), Odisha (144), Tamil Nadu (138) and Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh at 114 and 113 respectively.
In addition, the number of animal / reptile and insect bites also increased by 16.7 per cent, from 897 in 2021 to 1,077 in 2022. Of them, 768 were men and 299 women.
The highest number of bite cases were reported from Rajasthan (232), followed by Madhya Pradesh (190). Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh recorded 134 and 103, respectively.