Bagerhat Correspondent :
Ownerless stray dogs on the streets of Fakirhat Upazila town and other important places of the Upazila in Bagerhat district have become violent. Humans, cows, buffaloes and other livestock are being injured in their coordinated attacks. They are dragging and eating small animals like goats, sheep, rabbits, and chickens. These gangs of dogs are now a symbol of terror in Fakirhat township.
According to the information of Fakirhat Upazila Health Complex, 102 people injured by dog and cat attacks in the last 15 days have received the official rabies vaccines. An average of 7 injured people comes to this Upazila Health Complex every day to receive the rabies vaccine. In the last one and a half years some 2,059 injured people have received 6,177 doses of the official rabies vaccine from here, disclosed Upazila Health Complex Medical Technologist (EPI) Md. Kamal Hossain. However, the concerned people believe that the actual number of injured people attacked by dogs and cats in the Upazila is higher than that. Apart from the Upazila Health Complex, rich people buy and use vaccines in various clinics and diagnostic centers. In addition, a large portion of the infected people are getting treatment and brushing by village fakirs (exorcists) instead of getting vaccinated. Apart from humans, a large number of cattle heads are also injured every day due to dog-biting. Many are taking the affected animals to the Upazila Livestock Office for vaccination.
Although there are no exact statistics, local people estimate that there are approximately 8 to 10 thousand dogs in the Upazila. In various areas including Katakhali More (crossing points of 03 Highways), Mulghar, Bahirdia, Attaki, House building, and Fakirhat Bazar of the Upazila, an average of 5 to 15 dogs are seen roaming around in groups. These dogs come at the sight of something like food in the bag. Moreover, school-going children, women and the elderly people are often attacked by the dogs. As a result, extra caution has been observed in their movements.
Recently, a group of stray dogs killed and ate several goats and poultry in the villages of Pagla Shyamnagar, Chhoto Huchla, and Town Nawapara in the Upazila. Village veterinarian Khan Arif told, I treated many cattle injured by dog bites.
Rebeka Khatun, mother of one Samiha (8), who came to get rabies vaccination, said that when a dog attacked her on her way to school, pedestrians ran to save her. But by this time, the dog had bitten her and her leg was bleeding. She came to seek medical advice. Many children, women, and the elderly like her are being injured in the attacks of these ferocious dogs.
Administrative action needs to be taken against these ferocious dogs. Otherwise, the conscious community of the Upazila expressed the opinion that a major accident could happen at any time. Md. Zahidur Rahman, Upazila Livestock Officer told, since ancient times, dogs naturally do not harm humans due to coexistence with humans. But there may be some specific reasons behind their sudden violent behaviour like wild dogs. Stray dogs are becoming more aggressive due to various reasons including the increase in the number of dogs, lack of food, lack of shelter, insecurity and transmission of rabies virus through fox bites. Currently, the demand for rabies vaccines was increased.
Sumona Arin, Fakirhat Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) told, although there is a city corporation and a municipality in the city, there is no specific authority at the Upazila level to control dogs. However, she added, I shall talk to the authorities for the safety of the residents of the Upazila. In addition, the UNO advised the children and the elderly people to be aware while walking on the roads.
