Spurt in dog bite cases

Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital, one of the largest tertiary care hospitals of Kashmir Valley has recorded a spurt in the number of dog bite cases in the year 2023, compared to the previous year 2022. As per the figures mentioned in the media reports, as many as 6,875 bite victims, mostly of dog bites, were reported to the anti-rabies clinic at SMHS hospital in the last year, which has recorded an increase of over 1000 such cases compared to previous year. From 1st April 2022 till 3Ist March 2023, as many as 6,875 bite cases were reported to ARC SMHS and most of them were from Srinagar while only 5,469 bite cases were reported from April 2021 to March 2022. As per the reports, 49,383 cases have been registered at anti rabies clinic from April 2015 to March 2023. Such a figure is testimony to the fact that the people from different parts of the Valley become victims of animal bites, especially dog bites. The dogs have unleashed terror on the roads, but unfortunately the authorities concerned are turning their eye blind over the grave issue. The concerned authorities usually make statements over the issue whenever there is any serious incident like the death of any person or any grave injuries to the victim. It is the time when the officials concerned should take the matter seriously and ensure that the number of bite cases are reduced at earliest so that the people could heave a sigh of relief and the terror unleashed by stray dogs in every book and corner is put to an immediate end.