Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Aug 6: Karnataka has reported a staggering 2.31 lac dog bite cases and 19 rabies-related deaths in the first six months of 2025, according to official data released by the state health department. The numbers mark a significant rise compared to the same period in 2024, when 1.69 lac dog bite cases and 18 rabies deaths were recorded — indicating a 36.20% surge in bite incidents.

Last year, the state had registered 3.6 lac dog bite cases and 42 rabies deaths by the end of 2024. The current year's data, covering the period from January 1 to June 30, has been compiled under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) of the health department.

A recent incident in Hubballi, where a video of stray dogs attacking and dragging a three-year-old girl went viral, further underlined the growing menace of stray dogs. Officials acknowledge that earlier such cases often went unreported, but improved reporting mechanisms have now brought more accurate data to light.

"These incidents are not new, but previously they were not reported with this level of accuracy. Now, better reporting systems are helping us understand the extent of the issue," said Harsha Gupta, principal secretary, health and family welfare department.

To address the growing crisis, the department is taking multiple steps, including raising public awareness and training doctors on how to treat dog bite victims. Urban local bodies and gram panchayats have also been instructed to control the stray dog population effectively, Gupta added.