Bihar witnessed a sharp rise in dog bite cases, with 2,83,000 reported in 2024-25. This is 38,900 more than in 2023-24, according to the state's economic survey report released on February 2, 2026. The report stated that 776 victims were specifically from stray dog bites. Patna had the highest number, with 29,280 cases recorded. It was followed by East Champaran (24,452), Nalanda (19,637), and West Champaran (17,820). Other districts with high cases included Jehanabad (12,900), Bhojpur (10,496), Gaya (10,794), Purnia (10,373), and Vaishali (10,155). Aurangabad had the fewest, with just 467 cases in 2025-26, followed by Arwal and Khagaria with just over 1,200 and 1,500 respectively. The report also highlighted other common illnesses in Bihar, with Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) or Influenza-like Illness (ILI) at 31,025 cases. Malaria stood at 29,198 cases; Enteric Fever (Typhoid), 23,976; Bacillary Dysentery, 19,929; Acute Diarrheal Disease, 18,128; and Viral Hepatitis, 1,208 cases for the year 2025-26. Arpita Bose, a Patna-based animal activist, said, "Stray dogs or cats only bite out of fear or whenever they are attacked or provoked unnecessarily. The number of dog bite cases in this year is huge." Meanwhile, veterinary doctor Amresh Kumar of Kankerbagh, who treats injured stray animals out of passion, said, "I cannot bear to see them suffering." However, he declined to comment on the dog bite statistics, stating, "What can I say over this?" The economic survey was released during Bihar's ongoing Budget Session and sheds light on this growing health challenge caused by stray animals in the state.