Stray Dog Attack Claims Toddler's Life

HYDERABAD: A two-year-old girl who was attacked by stray dogs at Ayyappanagar in Kamareddy died at the Government General Hospital on Sunday, despite receiving three doses of the anti-rabies vaccine.

Hospital superintendent and additional director of medical education Dr P. Venkatesh said the child had been administered the first dose on January 25, the second on January 28, and the third on February 1. “We are unfortunate. Samples have been sent to the forensics lab and we are awaiting results. There is no negligence by any of our staff,” he stated.

Medical experts explained that even minor scratches or licks from canines carry the risk of rabies, regardless of whether the animal is vaccinated.

Niloufer Hospital superintendent Dr G. Vijay Kumar stressed the importance of immediate first aid. “The foremost step after a dog, cat, or pig bite is washing the wound thoroughly with bathing soap and water, which kills the virus. Severe bites, especially those on the face and near the brain, are difficult for children to survive. It is not related to vaccines. The schedule requires five doses on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 after the bite,” he said.

Consultant physician Dr B. Venkat Nani added that modern rabies vaccines are safe and lifesaving. “There is no evidence of deaths directly caused by the vaccine. The real risk is delayed or incomplete treatment. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms begin, but it is fully preventable with timely vaccination,” he explained. He advised parents to seek immediate care, complete the vaccine schedule, report allergies, and monitor for rare severe reactions.

Following the child’s death, family members staged a protest outside the hospital demanding action. They relented after senior officials assured them that necessary steps would be taken.