By IANS,
Bodinayakkanur (Tamil Nadu) : In this small Tamil Nadu town, man’s best friend has turned against him, as over 1,100 people have been bitten by rabid dogs since January, a health official said.
“Between January and March 31, a total of 1,085 persons were bitten by rabid dogs and 33 instances have been reported since then. The government’s grant of Rs.250,000 to sterilise the afflicted dogs will reduce the menace soon,” a government hospital official S. Manoharan said Sunday.
“Mercifully, there have been no deaths so far. The problem is serious owing to a shortage of sanitation workers who also are meant to trap stray dogs,” Manoharan added.
P. Devi, a college student said: “At least five persons are being bitten every day after twilight. Most of us are using private transport to avoid any such incident. Two-wheelers too are useless as dogs chase riders during daytime and after nightfall.”
Known for its spices, this little town is situated some 375 km south of state capital Chennai at the foothills of the Western Ghats.