66 fresh dog-bite cases reported

Mohit Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 18

There has been no let-up in dog-bite cases in the city. A day after the city witnessed the death of a toddler due to dog bite, the two dispensaries administering free vaccines in the city received 66 fresh dog-bite cases on Monday.

As many as 50 cases were reported from the Sector 19 dispensary, while 16 fresh cases were reported from the government dispensary in Sector 38. Each month, nearly 600 dog-bite cases arrive at the dispensary in Sector 19, while 2,100 cases of dog bite have been reported from the Sector 38 dispensary since January, said a Health Department official.

Mayor wants law amended

City Mayor Davesh Moudgil expressed regret over the incident and said from January till May, over 5,000 dog-bite cases were reported from the city.

“We are helpless as we have to abide by the law. However, the time has come for an amendment to the law to prevent similar incidents. We can only sterilise a dog and have to leave the canine from where it was picked up,” said Moudgil. There is no shortage of serum and vaccines in the dispensaries and government hospitals. The serum and vaccines are administered only in cases where the dog bite causes bleeding.

Dos and don’ts

Wash the wound properly soon after being bitten by a dog. Abstain from alcohol and beer; avoid having fried, junk and non-vegetarian food.