Bengaluru has reported 13,831 dog bite incidents in the first half of 2025, all within the jurisdiction of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Official records indicate that May saw the highest monthly tally with 2,562 cases, while February had the fewest at 1,883.
Also read: India reports over 37 lakh dog bite cases in 2024; 54 rabies deaths confirmed
The rise in numbers reflects a broader pattern across Karnataka, where dog bite cases have climbed by 36% compared to the same period last year. Civic officials describe the trend as concerning, despite ongoing public awareness campaigns and vaccination drives.
BBMP’s Annual Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) report details
According to BBMP’s Annual Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) report, 50,055 dogs have been vaccinated in the city so far this year. The latest BBMP census estimates the stray dog population at around 2.7 lakh. State health officials say Karnataka requires between 38,000 and 40,000 rabies vaccine doses each month, and government hospitals are mandated to provide free treatment to dog bite victims.
At the national level, the Supreme Court on Monday directed that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR be taken to shelters within eight weeks. The matter resurfaced on Wednesday when a plea on stray dog relocation was mentioned before the Chief Justice of India.
The directive has drawn mixed reactions — some view it as a necessary measure to reduce bite cases, while others caution that mass relocation could heighten human-animal conflict and potentially violate existing animal welfare protections.