Stray dogs go on attacking spree, 60 injured

RAYAGADA: PANIC has gripped Rayagada town after as many as 60 persons, including women and children, sustained dog bite injuries in the last 24 hours. At least 40 dog bite cases have been recorded from Kottapeta village, 5 km from the district headquarters hospital (DHH), as stray dogs went on an attacking spree from Wednesday night. The other injured persons belong to Khalliguda, Malligaon, Rayagada and Utkalmani Nagar areas.

Some of the dog bite victims were identified as B Chinnababu, B Srinibas, Jyotshna Tadingi, G Padmavati and a five-year-old child. Of the injured, the condition of five is stated to be critical. They are undergoing treatment at DHH.Following the dog attack, panic gripped several localities of Rayagada, Gunupur and Gudari urban local bodies (ULBs) which are grappling with stray dog menace. 

Social worker Balaram Panda alleged that for the last five years, no measures have been taken to check the rising dog population by the ULBs.Contacted, Executive Officer of Rayagada Municipality Shantiprabha Pradhan said a meeting was recently held with officials of the Veterinary department in this regard. “We have decided to form a squad to catch stray dogs. Sterilisation of the dogs will start in a couple of days,” she added.