Telangana is grappling with stray dog menace with hundreds of dog attacks reported every day across the state. The situation is so alarming that the recent killing of a 6-year-old by stray dogs has prompted a suo-motu investigation by the High Court.
Between December 12 and July 2, there were 239 reported dog bite incidents in Telangana. Each incident injured 10 to 15 people, and in total, 15 people have lost their lives, some due to rabies. Stray dog packs have also been attacking livestock, including sheep and cattle.
Here are the details of the 15 persons deceased due to dog bites
December 15, 2023: Five-month-old Sharath was attacked in a hut in Vibhanagar, Golconda, succumbing to severe injuries.
January 9, 2024: Five-year-old Harsha from Kalledi, Nizamabad, died after being attacked by goat herders’ dogs.
January 29: A man in Maripeda, Mahabubabad, died following a dog attack.
February 2: One-year-old Nagaraju was dragged and killed by dogs in Shamshabad.
February 8: Ramavva (60) from Lacchapet, Kamareddy, died from a dog attack while sitting on a sofa.
March 23: Four-year-old Sanvika from Tatiguda, Adilabad, succumbed to injuries from a rabid dog.
March 31: Dina Boddu Mahesh (34), a watchman in Nandipet, Nizamabad, died following an attack.
April 2: Arun (28) from Dharmaram, Rajannasirisilla, died of rabies after an attack.
April 13: Tudum Narendra (30) from Basireddypalli, Nalgonda, died after five months of inadequate treatment following a dog attack.
April 14: A five-year-old girl from Chhattisgarh died after being attacked in Hyderabad.
May 15: A five-month-old boy was killed by a dog in Tandoor, Vikarabad.
June 6: Six-year-oldSatvik was killed by a dog pack in Miyapur, Hyderabad.
June 9: Six-year-old Gugulot Abhiram was dragged and killed by dogs in Fattepur, Jangaon.
June 18: A 45-day-old baby from Madipalli, Mahabubabad, died the day after a dog attack.
June 29: Six-year-old Vishal from Bihar was killed by stray dogs in Patancheru, Sangareddy.
Also, dog bites can transmit serious diseases such as Rabies, Encephalitis, Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, Salmonellosis, Leptospirosis, Plague, Bird Flu, Anthrax, Lockjaw, Throat Paralysis, and Hydrophobia.
The increasing frequency of these tragic incidents highlights the urgent need for effective measures to control the stray dog population and ensure public safety.