Dogs on rampage bite 66 in a day

At least 66 people including, six children and five women, were bitten by stray dogs in different areas of Manikganj town in one day yesterday.

They were given treatment and anti-rabies vaccines at Manikganj Sadar Hospital, said its sources.

The dogs attacked them in Bautha Ghat, Bus Stand and Gangadharpatti areas of Manikganj municipality between 11:30am and 12:30pm.

The injured persons and locals said a dog bit several people in Bautha Ghat area around 11:30am. Within 10 minutes, another dog bit other people, including school and college students, in Gangadharpatti area, they said.

Later, people were attacked by a black dog in Bus Stand area, they added.

While visiting the hospital, this correspondent found the victims -- including Rozina, Rumel, Khodeja, Rubel, Korban, Rafiqul, Nurul Islam and Haider Ali -- awaiting to be vaccinated at the emergency department.

Of them, five-year-old Rozina was crying as she was bitten in the leg.

Like Rozina, most of the patients were screaming in pain.

Anisur Rahman, a nurse at the hospital, said he alone gave vaccines to 50 patients from noon to 1:00pm.

Dr Lutfor rahman, resident medical officer at Manikganj Sadar Hospital, said each of the patients will be given three more doses in phases.

Replying a question, he said around 4,000 people took treatment at the hospital in the last six months due to dog bites.

Meanwhile, town dwellers, expressing their anger at the incident, said the number of stray dogs is increasing in Manikganj day by day.

People, especially schoolboys and schoolgirls, walk outside homes in fear as dogs can bite them anytime, they said.

Elderly people stopped their morning walks, they said.

Many dogs get crazy during monsoon, said Saifuddin Ahmed Nannu, a local college teacher. Necessary steps should be taken to prevent such menace at this time, he added.

A politician, Azaharul Islam Arzu, said they saw the municipal authorities culled stray dogs in the past but now it does not happen.

Locals expressed concern over inaction against the menace.

Acknowledging the facts, Manikganj municipality Mayor Gazi Kamrul Huda Selim said due to a ban on culling of dogs they cannot take actions.

He urged the higher authorities concerned to take necessary steps in this regard.