NAROWAL: Thirty-one people, including children and women, were injured after being attacked by a rabid dog that entered Narowal from the Zafarwal bypass.

The stray dog went on a biting spree, targeting shoppers and citizens in various market areas before locals chased it with sticks, iron rods and other weapons in an attempt to subdue it.

The injured were promptly taken to the Narowal District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, where an emergency was imposed to ensure immediate care for the injured.

The DHQ hospital staff provided first aid and rabies vaccinations to all those affected.

The rabid dog attacked citizens in several areas, including neighbourhoods of Rehmanpura, Farooqganj, Usmanganj, Zafarwal Road and Main Bazaar, causing panic among residents.

Muhammad Bashir, Faryad Ali, Nazir Ahmed, Muhammad Anwar, Shafaqat Ali, Muhammad Munir,

Asia Bibi, Kulsoom Akhtar, Parveen Aslam and Hamid Ali were among seriously injured people.

Children and women rushed indoors, and many households locked their doors out of fear of further dog attacks.

A joint operation was launched by teams from the Municipal Committee, Rescue 1122, Civil Defence and the police. After a five-hour pursuit, the teams managed to corner the rabid dog in a closed street at Mohalla Moti Gate, where the police ultimately shot and killed it.

Residents Muhammad Arshad Butt and Muhammad Sarfraz reported that stray dogs are a recurring issue in Narowal, posing a frequent threat to citizens. They urged authorities to take action against the growing number of stray dogs.

Medical Superintendent Dr Muhammad Afzal said that dog bites vaccine is available in large numbers.

He said that the information about the end of the vaccine is wrong and baseless. He said that there are 211 dog bite vaccines in the hospital store.

Deputy Commissioner Hasan Raza said that free treatment is being provided to all injured citizens and assured that ample rabies vaccine supplies are available, countering reports of any shortages.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2024