Stray dog bite: Opposition seeks Angamaly municipality to bear medical expenses

Kochi: Opposition councillors in Angamaly municipality have urged the local body to bear the treatment expenses of 13 persons injured in a stray dog attack reported from different parts of the town on Saturday.

The dog attacked people at various locations, including the East Church area, Basilica Junction, Jospuram-Paliyekkara, Nazareth Nagar and the railway station premises. The injured were taken to different hospitals in the town for treatment. Laboratory tests later confirmed that the dog was infected with rabies.

“Among those attacked was a woman travelling in an autorickshaw and a college student staying at a hostel in Nazareth Nagar. A member of the Haritha Karma Sena was also bitten. Former municipal vice-chairman and councillor Biju Paulose narrowly escaped an attack, though his clothes were torn in the incident,” opposition leader T Y Alias said.

He said the municipality should take urgent measures to control the stray dog menace in line with the recent Supreme Court ruling.

He also warned that the rabid dog had bitten several other dogs, raising concerns over the possible spread of infection. Councillors urged anyone who may have come into contact with the dog and has not yet sought treatment to seek medical care immediately.

Meanwhile, municipality officials said an urgent council meeting has been convened to discuss the stray dog menace within the municipality’s jurisdiction in the wake of the attack. “We have envisioned projects in the municipality budget to implement animal birth control measures. However, the shortage of dog catchers poses a challenge to the municipality. Further decisions on the matter will be discussed at the council meeting,” said municipal vice-chairperson Wilson Mundadan.