BENGALURU: The menace of stray dogs continues unabated in Karnataka, with people falling victim to dog bites in various districts, including Bengaluru. The recent incident of a toddler being attacked by stray dogs in Bengaluru has sparked widespread concern.
According to data, over 60,000 people were bitten by stray dogs in Bengaluru, and and more than 26,000 cases in other parts of the state between 2023 and 2025. The state government has been criticised for its lack of effective action, despite the rising number of cases.
Bengaluru:
- 2023: 21,163 dog bite cases
- 2024: 18,198 cases
- 2025: 24,492 cases (till date)
- Total: 63,853 cases
Other affected districts:
- Belagavi: 2,692 cases
- Dharwad: 9,303 cases
- Mysuru: 9,902 cases
- Haveri: 3,441 cases
- Chitradurga: 270 cases
- Kolar: 344 cases
- Dakshina Kannada: 91 cases
- Hassan: 93 cases
- Total: 26,395 cases outside Bengaluru
The government has also formed a review committee to scrutinise cases and distribute compensation, aiming to provide swift and hassle-free relief to victims. The government has provided compensation totaling Rs17.80 lakh over three years.
The Karnataka government has announced compensation for victims of stray dog bites, providing Rs 5 lakh to families of deceased individuals and Rs 5,000 to those injured. Of this amount, Rs 3,500 will be given directly to the victim, while the remaining Rs 1,500 will be deposited into the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust for medical expenses.
