Kalyan, a city in Maharashtra, has witnessed a concerning surge in dog bite incidents, with over 160 individuals reportedly bitten within a 24-hour period. The attacks, which occurred between Sunday afternoon and Monday, included severe injuries to an 11-year-old girl, who was subsequently hospitalised in Mumbai due to the severity of her wounds. The affected areas have been gripped by fear as local residents express their concerns over safety in public spaces.

The most alarming incidents were reported in the vicinity of Sandeep Hotel on Birla College Road in Khadakpada, Kalyan West, where a stray dog allegedly attacked more than 60 people. Witnesses recounted how the dog chased after pedestrians, motorcyclists, and autorickshaws, prompting panic among those nearby.

Local residents claimed the attacking dog roamed across various lanes and housing societies, posing a serious threat to public safety. The disturbance caused families to keep their children indoors, as many feared further assaults.

Casualties And Medical Response Update

The Rukminibai Hospital was inundated with cases, recording 58 dog-bite victims on Sunday, followed by an additional 103 cases by 4 pm on Monday. Patients came from various neighbourhoods, including areas surrounding the railway station and the ST bus depot. Many received treatment, including essential anti-rabies injections, prior to discharge.

Chief Medical Officer Sulochana Tribhuvan confirmed that out of the total cases, 46 were classified as serious and required specialised medical attention. Those with severe injuries are being administered rabies immunoglobulin (RIG), while others received the anti-rabies vaccine (ARV). The hospital reported adequate stock levels of both types of injections.

The 11-year-old girl who was notably injured has been moved to Lokmanya Tilak Hospital in Sion, Mumbai, for further evaluation and care. The ongoing attacks have raised alarms regarding the safety of children and other pedestrians in busy areas of Kalyan.

KDMC Initiates Actions To Control Stray Dog Population

The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has ramped up its response in light of the alarming number of attacks. KDMC Commissioner Abhinav Goyal and Mayor Harshali Thavil visited the dog sterilisation and vaccination centre at Patripul to assess the situation. The Mayor stated that serious efforts were underway to capture the dogs responsible for the attacks, with captured dogs being treated with rabies injections.

This recent spike in dog bite incidents has prompted many residents to question the effectiveness of the KDMC’s ongoing efforts regarding stray dog management. Despite significant financial investments in sterilisation and vaccination programmes, the sheer volume of attacks has led locals to demand improvements in the response to emergency situations.

Residents expressed their disappointment regarding the KDMC’s perceived lack of rapid response when complaints were made, questioning why action was not initiated immediately as people began to flock to the hospital with bite wounds. This has reignited discussions on the need for more efficient catch-and-control measures within Kalyan-Dombivli.

Local political figures have also voiced their concerns regarding the administration’s performance, suggesting that planning and preventive measures must be enhanced to ensure public safety. The disturbances caused by these dog attacks have led to ongoing dialogue about the necessity for faster intervention and comprehensive strategies to address the issue effectively.

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