Budgam, Jul 15: Nearly three dozen people have been injured in a series of stray dog attacks reported from different areas of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district during the past two days, triggering panic among residents and prompting demands for immediate intervention by the authorities.
Locals said that the attacks were reported from Chadoora, Sanzipora and Chattergam areas, where men, women and children were among those bitten by stray dogs.
They said several of the injured were shifted to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Chadoora, while others were treated at Chattergam Hospital. All the victims were administered Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV), they added.
Block Medical Officer (BMO) Chadoora, Dr Riyaz said that the hospital has received more than 20 dog-bite cases over the last two days.
“We have received over 20 patients with dog bites. The matter has been taken up with the higher authorities, and we have written to them seeking immediate and appropriate action to prevent further attacks,” the BMO said.
Local resident Ashraf Ahmad said, “People, especially children, women and the elderly, are scared to step out of their homes. The administration must act immediately by launching a comprehensive stray dog control drive before more people become victims,”
Residents said the stray dog menace has become a serious public safety issue and urged the district administration and the concerned departments to take immediate measures to prevent further incidents—(KNO)
