ISTOCK
In the past six months, Karnataka has recorded more than 2.3 lakh dog bite cases and 19 rabies deaths, indicating a sharp increase compared to the corresponding period last year, according to official data released recently.
In all of 2024, the state reported 3.6 lakh dog bite cases and 42 rabies deaths.
According to data shared by the State Health Department’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) with PTI, Karnataka registered 2,31,091 dog bite cases and 19 rabies deaths between January 1 and June 30 this year.
In comparison, the same period last year saw 1,69,672 dog bite cases and 18 rabies deaths.
An analysis of the data shows that dog bite cases have increased by approximately 36.20 per cent compared to the corresponding period in 2024.
The recent surge in concern was fuelled by a viral video showing a three-year-old girl being attacked and dragged by two stray dogs on the streets of Hubballi. According to the data, the highest number of dog bite cases was reported in Vijayapura (15,527), followed by BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) limits with 13,831 cases, Hassan (13,388), Dakshina Kannada (12,524), and Bagalkot (12,392).
Bangalore Rural reported 4,408 dog bite cases, while Bangalore Urban reported 8,878 cases.
Notably, no rabies deaths were reported within BBMP limits or in Bangalore Rural.