At least 14 people, including children, women and the elderly, were injured in an attack by a rabid dog in Gangni municipal town in Meherpur.
The dog’s rampage began around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday near the Upazila Parishad gate and spread to various parts of the town, including the bus stand, Amin Mishtir Goli and the Rajlakshmi Thana intersection.
It caused extreme panic among residents.
Eyewitnesses said the dog suddenly began behaving erratically and started attacking passers-by. It chased and bit whoever came in front of it. Within a short time, at least 14 people were injured at several places in the town. Panic-stricken residents rushed to shops and homes for safety.
Those injured included Nuhu, 9, of the women’s college neighbourhood; Abdul Majid, 63, of Ward No. 7; Mahabur Rahman, 12, of Gangni Uttarpara; Faria Akhtar, 12, of Ward No. 8; Haji Abdul Mannan, 70, of Chougachha village; Sadia, 16, of Paschim Malsadah village; Kadab Ali, 56, of Hardi village; Mukul Mia, 45, of Gangni Bazarpara; Habibur Rahman, 22, of Gangni Baganpara; Rafiq, 55, of Dhankhola village; Hafizur Rahman, 60, of Ward No. 8; and Hazrat Ali, 50, of Purba Malsadah village, among several others.
The injured were quickly taken to Gangni Upazila Health Complex, where Dr. Samia Sultana of the emergency department gave them initial treatment. Doctors said the dog-bite victims had been given the necessary treatment and advised to take a vaccine quickly to prevent rabies.
Local residents said the number of stray dogs in the town had been rising for a long time. But such a horrific attack had rarely been seen before, they said. Anxiety and panic have prevailed among residents since the incident.
Concerned residents have demanded effective steps from the municipality and the authorities concerned to control stray dogs. They said that unless quick action is taken, bigger accidents could occur in future.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report