A dog went on a biting spree on Tuesday morning at the Ashwathkatte slum in Chokkasandra ward. Eight people, four of them children, were bitten. Of these, S. Shivakumar (8) and O. Manjunath (3) were severely injured as they were bitten on the hand and cheek.
The other victims, whose bites were not serious, are H. Marilinga (23), Arun Venkatesh (18), S. Devappa (30), B. Basavalinga (7), Siddappa Rayappa (50) and C. Shankar (5).
Stoned to death
An incensed public then stoned the stray to death.
It is said that the dog — a female — first attacked Manjunath as he came out of his hut early morning. As the neighbours and public rushed to rescue the child, it bit others as well. The victims were rushed to the Mallasandra Primary Health Centre for first aid and anti-rabies vaccination.
BBMP's Joint Commissioner (Animal Husbandry) Parvez Ahmed Piran said carcass has been sent to the Veterinary Hospital, Hebbal, for post-mortem. “It appears that the animal was rabid, as it attacked without any provocation. The two children, who were severely injured, were taken to Victoria Hospital for rabies immunoglobulin.” The other victims were treated as out-patients at the PHC.
Vaccination drive
Ironically, the BBMP had recently taken up an Anti-Rabies Vaccination drive in the ward. Dr. Piran said that on September 22, 23 and 24, some 180 dogs, which had already been sterilised, were given anti-rabies shots. The BBMP personnel were not able to round up any dogs on Tuesday.
“The dog catching squad will go to the area and round up dogs on Wednesday. Based on the post-mortem report, we will decide on the next course of action,” Dr. Piran added.
Mayor Sharadamma and Chokkasandra councillor M. Muniswamy visited the area. Mr. Muniswamy said that there was no reported case of rabies since April this year. He had directed the officials to vaccinate and sterilise all stray dogs in the area.
