Rabies-Infected Dog Responsible for 29 Bites in Chennai’s Royapuram Put Down by Residents

Rabies-Infected Dog Responsible for 29 Bites in Chennai’s Royapuram Put Down by Residents

A stray dog in Chennai that was killed by locals after biting 29 people has tested positive for rabies, according to officials. The incident occurred in the Royapuram area, where the dog attacked pedestrians and bit their feet and ankles. Within an hour, it had bitten 29 people before being pelted with stones and beaten to death. The dog’s body was sent for postmortem to the Madras Veterinary College, where tests confirmed the presence of rabies.

Among the victims were 10 schoolchildren and several elderly individuals who suffered injuries from falling and hitting their heads during the attack. Approximately 24 of the victims sustained deep cuts from the dog bites. They were immediately admitted to a government hospital and received anti-rabies vaccine shots. The victims will need to return for four more shots, as per the doctor’s instructions.

Following the incident, the civic officials captured 52 dogs from the area and are closely monitoring them. The Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner, J Radhakrishnan, announced that a comprehensive dog census will begin on November 27, during which all dogs will be vaccinated. He also confirmed that all 29 individuals affected by the dog bite in Royapuram have received immunoglobulins, and a ring vaccination is being conducted in the surrounding street.

In response to the incident, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian assured residents that doctors would conduct checkups on dogs throughout Chennai. It is important to note that dogs are the primary carriers of rabies, and the disease can be fatal if left untreated, even if symptoms are present.