The majority of Victims Are Children and the Elderly; the Public Demands Urgent Civic Intervention Amid Rabies Fears
Karwar: A wave of panic has gripped Bhatkal town in Uttara Kannada district as more than 70 people were injured in stray dog attacks within just 15 hours, according to health officials. The alarming surge in dog bite cases began on July 6 and has since intensified, triggering widespread concern among local residents.
"Most of the victims were attacked while walking in markets or residential areas. A majority of them are children and senior citizens," confirmed a district health official.
Though no fatalities have been reported so far, many of the injured have been administered anti-rabies vaccines at local hospitals. Some are still under observation.
Public Outcry and Rising Anger
Residents of Bhatkal have voiced strong criticism of the Bhatkal Municipal Administration, accusing civic officials of ignoring repeated complaints about the unchecked rise in the stray dog population.
"This could have been avoided if the authorities had acted sooner. We’ve submitted complaints several times in the past," said a local resident from KHB Colony.
The public anger is now turning into a demand for swift and visible action as fears mount over a potential rabies outbreak.
Civic and Veterinary Response
In response, the Bhatkal Municipal Council has said it is monitoring the situation closely and is preparing to launch a sterilisation and rescue drive in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry Department.
Plans under consideration include:
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Identification and relocation of aggressive or high-risk dogs
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Mass sterilization campaign to control the growing population
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Public awareness campaigns on rabies prevention and dog-bite response
“We are taking the matter seriously. A review meeting is likely to be held early next week to chalk out corrective strategies,” said a senior municipal official.
Health Department Alert
Public health officials have been put on high alert, especially in primary health centres and urban clinics, where the number of dog bite victims is steadily rising.
Medical teams have been instructed to:
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Ensure an adequate stock of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin
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Set up special OPDs to treat bite cases
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Maintain data surveillance to track the severity and spread
Background: Karnataka’s Ongoing Stray Dog Crisis
Karnataka has been grappling with rising stray dog attacks across multiple cities and towns in recent months. Bengaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Mysuru have reported similar incidents, prompting calls for a state-wide sterilisation policy and better coordination between municipalities and animal welfare boards.
Animal rights activists, however, have urged authorities to adopt humane capture and sterilization methods, instead of resorting to mass relocation or euthanasia.
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