22-year-old youth dies after being bitten by rabid dog in Bagalkot hospital

BAGALKOT: A 22-year-old youth, who had been bitten by a rabid dog, died on Monday night at the Bagalkot District Hospital without responding to treatment. This is the fifth such death in the district this year.

Pradeep Halerolli, a young graduate from Golasangi village in Nidagundi taluk, Vijayapura district, had gone to his mother’s native place Mannikeri in Bilagi taluk, Bagalkot district for the Chandradevi temple fair, in March. There, a rabid dog bit him, but he neglected it and did not get immediate treatment. Later, it turned into the rabies virus and the young man in his prime lost his life.

Pradeep seemed healthy, but the youth was writhing on the hospital bed while speaking. A short while later, he died. Due to severe distress, Pradeep was admitted to Kerudi Private Hospital in Bagalkot on Monday. Later, doctors there said survival was almost impossible.

Then around 11.30 am, he was admitted to Bagalkot District Hospital. But that too was in vain. The rabies virus had affected his brain, causing breathing difficulties, water phobia, hydrophobia, and nerve-clotting pain. Pradeep suffered unbearable throat distress. Finally, the virus claimed his life.

In Bagalkot district, dog bite cases have been increasing for the last three years. In 2025, 25,152 people were bitten by dogs, and five people died. In 2024, three people died in 17,998 cases. In 2026, 14,104 people were bitten by dogs, and from January 2026 till now, five people have died.

Every month, 200–250 dog bite cases are registered at the district hospital alone. Including other government and private hospitals, there are even more cases. Dog attacks have increased in the district, and the authorities concerned need to take appropriate action.