Karnataka has recorded more than 3.33 lakh dog bite cases so far in 2026, with 34 human rabies deaths, according to the latest state surveillance data, raising concerns among public health experts and animal welfare activists over gaps in vaccination, reporting and animal birth control programmes.Data for the week of July 13 to July 19 alone shows that 9,570 people were bitten by dogs across the state. While no human rabies deaths were reported during the week, the cumulative toll for the year has reached 333,561 dog bite cases and 34 rabies-related deaths.In comparison, the state had reported 4,95,160 dog bite cases and 49 human rabies deaths during the whole of 2025. With nearly 3.34 lakh cases already reported in just over six months of 2026, this year’s total has already reached about 67 per cent of last year’s caseload.However, experts caution that the numbers should be interpreted carefully, pointing to limitations in data collection and the need to distinguish between bites by pet dogs and community dogs.Harini Raghavan of Citizens for Animal Birth Control said the figures reflect the state’s inadequate implementation of sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination programmes.“With over one lakh vaccinated and sterilised dogs across the state of Karnataka, what can one expect? Also the numbers seem extremely inflated. The PHCs are showing 5 bites for every ARV taken. Basically every injection given is taken as a bite. Also, the much needed differentiation of pet dog bites and rabies is not featured. More than 30 per cent of bites and rabies cases are from unvaccinated pet dogs. As far as community dogs goes, it’s enough if every district in the state focusses on mass vaccination and sterilisation as per the scientific ABC rules. The system has been failing since 2009 and prior. Now, with the additional mandate of shelters, the ABC programme is further getting derailed,” she said.Priya Chetty-Rajagopal, Founder of CJ Memorial Trust, welcomed the collection of statewide data but said better reporting practices are needed to understand the true picture. “This data, which seems much larger, is actually a function of three things. One is a greater degree of dog bite reporting (particularly because of compensation available) and secondly auto inclusion of pet dog bites. Third, some of the data may be slightly suspect, since it reflects the number of injections administered. A single course involves five different ARV injections over a month, which might be recorded as five separate bites, particularly at primary health centres where data collection practices are quite basic. The rabies deaths are a surprise and a definite concern, particularly given the increased number of ARV vaccinations. Bengaluru’s rabies helpline has helped and mitigated a lot of better reporting and action and the model should be used in the rest of the state as well,” she said.Nandita Subbarao, civic welfareist with a strong focus on street dog birth control and vaccination, linked the increase in conflicts to the growing abandonment and relocation of dogs.“I attribute the rising number of dog bite incidents, in part, to the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s orders, which have coincided with a noticeable increase in the abandonment of dogs. We are finding puppies, some as young as newborns that have not even opened their eyes being dumped in different parts of the city. There is still very little public awareness about the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, and that continues to be a major concern. People often abandon female dogs on the outskirts or in neighbourhoods where they believe residents will take responsibility for them. When these relocated dogs enter unfamiliar areas, they become disoriented. Local dogs often attack them and when residents intervene to separate or shoo away the animals, they end up getting bitten. We have seen such incidents becoming more frequent over the last three to four months,” she said.She further added, “For years, we have been urging the authorities to maintain separate data on whether dog bites are caused by pet dogs or stray dogs. Many pet owners are irresponsible and fail to vaccinate their dogs against rabies.”Subbarao said, “It is also important to remember that rabies became a notifiable disease only in October 2022. As awareness and reporting have improved, the number of reported cases has naturally increased. At the same time, we need stronger public awareness.”
