Bangalore, Dec 3 (DHNS): A suspected rabid dog bit five-year-old Razia Sultana of Nagashettyhalli in the City on Sunday, raising fears of the recrudescence of canine menace.
Razia was bitten by the dog while she was playing in front of her house. She is the fifth reported victim of dog attacks since January 2011.
The attack on Razia comes close on the heels of yet another horrific case of mauling by a dog. Last week, a stray dog pounced on young Jyoti, leaving her face severely disfigured. Hussain Khan, Razia’s uncle, said: “It was around 9 am when the incident occurred. The dog bit her right cheek, part of the neck and also her leg.”
The child’s parents were not around when she was attacked by the dog. While Razia’s father was watching television, her mother was in a neighbour’s house.
Salma, Razia’s mother, said: “I was in the other house and had no idea about what happened to her. When I came out, I was shocked to see my daughter’s face bitten and blood oozing out. She was screaming.”
Razia was admitted to the children’s emergency ICU ward of MS Ramaiah Hospital. She will be kept in the ward for another 10 hours before discharge.
Dr Parviz Ahmad Piran, joint director of BBMP’s animal husbandry department, said: “We suspect that the dog might be rabid. We have rated it as a category 3 bite and the injury is not very serious. Since Razia’s face is mostly damaged, she might have to undergo a facial surgery in future. She has already been administered anti-rabies vaccine, anti-rabies serum and tetanus toxoid along with antibiotics.”
The Karnataka High Court had time and again pulled up Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and NGOs for failing to implement animal birth control to prevent the stray dog menace. The court rebuke seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
Earlier incidents
January 12, 2011: A pack of five dogs mauled 18-month-old S Prashanto to death at Bagalur near Bengaluru International Airport.
July 6, 2011: Five-year-old Jishnu was attacked by stray dogs in Yelahanka New Town.
The dogs tore away part of his scalp before he was rescued.
July 24, 2011: Chethan Gowda, 11, from Yelahanka was bitten when he was walking to a tuition class.
January 2012: Four-and-a -half -year-old rag picker Selva was mauled by dogs in Sarakki Circle.