Stray Dog Bite Leads To A 4-Year-Old’s Death In Karnataka: Could It Have Been Prevented?

Karnataka has been witnessing stray dog issue after a four-year-old girl from Davangere, succumbed to rabies on Tuesday, 4 months following a dog bite. Khadeera Banu, the girl who died was receiving treatment at Bengaluru’s Rajiv Gandhi Hospital but, in spite of several attempts by doctors, could not be treated.

While playing at home Khadeera was attacked by a stray dog in April. She was bitten on her face and other areas of her body by the dog. That left her her critically wounded. Following the dog attack, Khadeera was first taken to a nearby hospital and later taken to Bengaluru for specialist treatment. 

Continuing attacks by stray dogs have ignited countrywide controversies regarding public safety and animal rights. The Karnataka Lokayukta, Justice B.S. Patil, earlier this month censured the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for not acting against the growing nuisance of vicious stray dogs. An independent investigation proved that BBMP had not established observation homes for menacing dogs, putting residents vulnerable.

Debates and discussions over stray dogs increasing

The problem is not exclusive to Karnataka. Last week, the India Supreme Court directed Delhi-NCR and peripheral region authorities to move stray dogs residing in residential neighborhoods to professionally run shelters. The court referred to shocking figures illustrating a jump in dog bites in India more than 37 lakh bites every year, with tens of thousands in Delhi alone. The directive underlined the fact that shelters need to ensure proper sterilisation, vaccination, and safety measures to avoid further human tragedies.

Stray dog threats on children

Especially vulnerable are children. The government of Delhi recently highlighted that most rabies deaths are among children due to their small body sizes and immature immune systems, which puts them at risk for serious complications. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta identified an immediate need for answers. “Nobody hates animals but children are losing their lives to dog bites, and we should do something about it.”

Experts and public leaders have demanded humane yet effective measures to manage stray dog population. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, an alumni in veterinary science, recommended population control as a long-term measure, and not just imprisonment of dogs in shelters. While authorities and courts argue over the most suitable method, families such as Khadeera Banu’s still suffer the heart-wrenching effects of this mounting public health problem.

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