Filmmaker and activist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj bitten by stray dog in Delhi market, faces mocking and trolling from self-styled dog lovers
Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj was bitten by a stray dog in Delhi. She later faced online trolling, despite sharing medical proof of a Category III bite. (Image: Economic Times/X)
On 28th February, journalist, filmmaker and founder of Ekam Nyaay Foundation, Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj, was bitten by a stray dog while walking through Shahpur Jat market in Delhi. She shared her ordeal on social media, stating that she was simply walking when the dog attacked her. According to her, bystanders informed her that there was a local woman who regularly feeds the dog and that such dog attack incidents have become a daily occurrence.
Was just walking through market in Shahpur Jat, Street dog bit me
— Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) February 28, 2026
Didn't say anything, was just walking and he attacked
Everyone standing around felt sorry and said – Ek aunty hai iski unko jaakar bolo. Har roz ka kaam hai iska 😢
I left because I knew she will only blame me
Later that night, she went to hospital to begin anti-rabies treatment. She wrote that a nurse at the hospital told her about the “crazy number” of dog bite cases they receive on a daily basis. Several people in the comments shared how they were bitten by stray dogs without provocation.
Came to take vaccine at Hospital. Sister tells me they get just so many cases of dog bites everyday that it's crazy. Ofcourse no one cares
— Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) February 28, 2026
Congress spokesperson joins mocking remarks
Instead of empathy, Bhardwaj was subjected to ridicule on social media. Self-styled dog lovers mocked and trolled her for sharing the ordeal. One of the social media users, who identifies herself as a Congress spokesperson and media panellist, Lavanya Ballal Jain, responded sarcastically to the incident and said, “Poor dog! What ill fate tempted the wretched soul to bite this vile person?” She also remarked that there were no pictures of the dog or the bite.
Several other users mocked Bhardwaj and questioned her account. One parody handle wrote, “We need to reward that dog.”
Another user accused her of lying and seeking attention, suggesting that there were no photographs to support her claim.
Bhardwaj responded by stating that she was now dealing with “crazy shaming and questioning by pseudo dog lovers” for sharing her experience.
Along with dog bite pain, I am now dealing with absolutely crazy shaming & questioning by pseudo dog lovers cursing me for just sharing what happened with me
— Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) March 1, 2026
Psychology students must do research on psychological delusions, callousness & brainwashing of blind stray dog lovers pic.twitter.com/epfpb0NqhG
Medical record confirms Category III dog bite
After some users demanded proof, Bhardwaj shared a copy of her hospital record. The working diagnosis clearly mentioned a “Category III dog bite”. The document advised administration of anti-rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin, with a five-dose schedule beginning on 28th February 2026.
Some haters are asking for proof and evidence over a tweet.
— Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) February 28, 2026
These are the same people who think no proof should be asked from a woman for filing a criminal case and presume guilt of a man who she accuses
AHHH THE IRONY. Here's the proof anyways. pic.twitter.com/5IGGy4pm5c
Under World Health Organization guidelines, a Category III exposure is the most severe category. It includes single or multiple transdermal bites or scratches, licks on broken skin, or exposure of saliva to mucous membranes. Such cases require immediate wound washing, rabies immunoglobulin and a complete vaccination schedule. It is treated as a serious exposure with potential risk of rabies transmission.
Dog bite crisis and the culture of denial
The incident comes amid a mounting stray dog crisis in India. Official data for 2025, provided by the Government of India in reply to our RTI, recorded 47.48 lakh dog bite cases across the country. In recent months, multiple reports have emerged of children suffering severe injuries, undergoing dozens of stitches, or dying after rabies infection following stray dog attacks.
Yet, as this episode shows, even victims with documented Category III bites are forced to defend themselves against online mockery. Instead of addressing the public health and safety implications of free-roaming dog populations, some self-styled dog lovers choose to trivialise attacks and shame those who speak about them.
When dog bites are reaching epidemic-like levels and rabies continues to claim lives, particularly of children, dismissing victims or demanding photographic proof before offering basic empathy only deepens the problem. Genuine concerns about safety and disease control cannot be brushed aside with sarcasm and social media taunts.
Disclaimer: This news report is based on information shared by the victim on social media. StrayDogMenace.com contacted the victim and obtained her consent before publishing this report.
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