Latehar dog bites injured 16 people, including a child, across Balumath in Jharkhand from Friday afternoon until late at night, prompting treatment with anti-rabies and anti-tetanus injections at the local community health centre. District authorities said Latehar lacks a dog-catching facility, making it difficult to contain or sterilise suspected rabid stray dogs.
The victims, aged between eight and 35 years, were brought to the Balumath community health centre through the evening, with cases being reported until around 10pm, doctor Surendra Kumar said on Sunday. Residents told the Times of India that the attacks were allegedly carried out by one stray dog that appeared distressed and aggressive.
The injuries varied in severity. One woman suffered multiple bite wounds on her leg, while a youth sustained a torn lower lip. A child was bitten on the nose and went into shock after bleeding. Sources said several victims had deep wounds, including abrasions, lacerations and multiple bite marks.
All the injured were administered an anti-rabies vaccine, an anti-tetanus injection and symptomatic medicines, according to a community health centre official. Kumar said the centre follows a four-dose anti-rabies vaccination schedule on days zero, three, seven and 28. Vaccine stocks were adequate, the report said.
Kumar also explained that dog-bite wounds are generally not stitched or bandaged. The youth with the lip injury, however, received two stitches after expressing concern about the wound.
The incident has also exposed a local gap in stray-animal response capacity. Latehar deputy commissioner Sandip Kumar said the district did not have a dog-catching facility, which makes sterilisation and containment of stray dogs difficult. He said the administration was concerned and would explore measures to restrict the movement of suspected rabid dogs.
Residents said several bites were reported near roadside eateries, where stray dogs gather around leftover food. Eatery owners have been advised to remain alert and take basic safety precautions.
The immediate response has therefore depended on treatment after the attacks, while the district administration considers how to restrict the movement of the suspected dog. The next steps identified by the administration are measures to contain the animal, alongside continued anti-rabies treatment for the victims according to the community health centre’s vaccination schedule.
