India, July 20 -- Karnataka has seen a sharp 36% rise in dog bite cases in the first half of 2025, with 2.31 lakh incidents and 19 reported rabies deaths between January and June, according to official data released by the State Health Department.

The corresponding period in 2024 recorded 1.69 lakh cases and 18 rabies deaths. For all of 2024, Karnataka reported 3.6 lakh dog bite cases and 42 rabies-related fatalities. The data, shared under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), reflects growing public concern following a recent viral video showing a three-year-old girl being mauled by two stray dogs in Hubballi.

Health officials attribute the spike partly to better reporting. "The situation isn't spiralling. We're now se...