Photo: BSS

LAKSHMIPUR, Oct 7, 2025 (BSS) - About 10,000 people have been infected with 
dog bites in the district in a year as the number of stray dogs has increased 
at an alarming rate.

During the same period, 30,000 doses of vaccine have been administered in the 
district. 

According to government estimates, 2,400 people have been treated at Sadar 
hospital for dog or cat bites only this September. People of all ages are 
flocking to the Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital every day.

The number of infected children is high which has panicked the locals. The 
hospital authorities are struggling to vaccinate the infected people. 

According to Sadar hospital and local sources, about 10,000 people have been 
vaccinated at Lakshmipur Sadar hospital from October 2024 to September 2025 
after being bitten and scratched by dogs or cats. Each infected person has to 
take three doses of vaccine. 

Besides, 30,000 doses of vaccine have been administered in the district in a 
year. It is known that people of various ages get vaccinated at Lakshmipur 
Sadar Hospital every day after being bitten by dogs or cats. Most of them are 
children.

According to locals, a few years ago, thousands of dogs in the municipal area 
were given the 'anti-rabies' vaccine under a pilot project, but it has been 
discontinued for a long time which has created a vaccine crisis. The killing 
of stray dogs has been banned on the orders of the High Court (HC). 

Most of the time, people are attacked by dogs while traveling. As a result, 
school and college students and their guardians are worried. The victims have 
demanded that the administration take immediate action in this regard. 

The number of dog bites has increased several times in the past few months. 
As a result, many students are afraid to go to school due to fear of dogs. 

Anwar Hossain and Kafil Uddin, relatives of the dog bite victims, said that 
after the dog bite, they were taken to Lakshmipur Sadar hospital for 
vaccination. But since there is no vaccine, they have to buy the vaccine from 
outside at a high price. 

Sadar Hospital Senior Staff Nurse Md. Rokunuzzaman told BSS that 800 infected 
people were given 2,400 doses of vaccine in September. In this regard, about 
30,000 doses of vaccine were given to 10,000 people in the last one year. 
Besides, 100 to 150 people come to the hospital every day after being bitten 
by dogs or cats. 

Municipal Administrator and Deputy Director of the Local Government 
Department Md. Jasim Uddin said that action cannot be taken due to the High 
Court ban on killing dogs. Action will be taken if we get another 
instruction. There is nothing else to do.

He requested everyone to be aware and move around to protect themselves from 
dog attacks. 

Sadar Hospital Resident Medical Officer Dr. Arup Pal told BSS, there is 
sufficient amount of vaccine. There is no crisis. This can happen due to the 
sudden increase in dogs on the roads and harassment of animals.

He said if a dog or cat bites different parts of the body including the 
hands, back and cheeks, the affected area should be washed immediately with 
soapy water or clean water. Then one should come to the hospital immediately 
and get the vaccine and treatment.