Around 56 people have been bitten by stray dogs in Chuadanga district in the last one week.
Meanwhile, the injured people are in trouble due to lack of anti-rabies vaccines in the local upazila health complexes.
Sources in the Chuadanga Sadar Hospital said a total of 56 people, including children, have been treated there for dog bite injuries from July 1 to July 7.
Stray dogs have increased across Chuadanga district. Because of stray dogs, school-college going students, children, pedestrians and common people are afraid of walking on the roads. Almost every day, people are getting treated in hospital after being bitten by dogs.
People in the district are scared because there is no initiative of the municipality and the administration to kill the mad dogs. Due to the lack of vaccines in the local upazila health complexes, the affected people are also suffering.
It has been found that there is no anti-rabies vaccine in Damurhuda, Alamdanga and Jibannagar Upazila Health Complexes in Chuadanga for a long time. As a result, if any dog or cat gets scratched or bitten, the vaccine should be given by going to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital. Patients are suffering greatly.
Chuadanga Sadar Hospital has sufficient amount of anti-rabies vaccine. Because of lack of vaccines in the three upazila health complexes of the district, the patients from far away are forced to come to the Sadar Hospital to take the vaccine.
A woman said, “My house is in Alamdanga. A dog has bitten me a day ago. When I went to Alamdanga Upazila Health Complex, they said there is no vaccine there. Then, I must buy the vaccine or go to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital. Later, I was forced to come to Sadar Hospital.”
Bijay Arian of Sumiadia area in Chuadanga said six people, including children, were injured by a mad dog in their area in the last four days. Such incidents have caused widespread panic in the area. Later, he heard that someone killed the dog.
Chuadanga Municipality Mayor Jahangir Alam Malik said according to the law, dogs are not allowed to be killed. As the number of dogs in the town has increased, everyone should be aware, he said.
Chuadanga Civil Surgeon Dr Md Sazzat Hasan said if anyone is injured by dog and cat, then they can take anti-rabies vaccine in the health complexes. And if there is no vaccine, the patients will be sent to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital.
Chuadanga Deputy Commissioner Dr Kisinger Chakma said the local government institutions have been given some powers. There are some measures in place to deal with stray dogs if public health is threatened. City Corporation or municipality may take action. “I will check with the hospital and get the statistics. If necessary, I will give instructions to the municipalities and union parishads. Dogs cannot be killed at will. There are some legal restrictions,” the DC said.
