Tarash (Sirajganj) Correspondent
The outrage of stray dogs has increased in Tarash upazila of Sirajganj recently Hundreds of local people were injured by the bites of these street dogs in last July alone.
Thirty of the injured received free vaccine from Tarash Upazila Parishad. Tarash Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Mejbaul Karim confirmed the information.
The number of stray dogs is increasing day by day in eight unions of the upazila including Tarash municipal area. They can be seen walking around in groups of five to seven. These dogs chase different pedestrians now and then and people of different ages, including children, are often bitten by them.
As the killing of dogs has stopped due to the court's ban and the breeding season of dogs is approaching, the locals have become restless due to the outrage of the stray dogs.
However, a matter of hope is that Tarash Upazila Parishad has already launched vaccination programme to prevent rabies under the ADP project and common people are getting free vaccine under the initiative.
A victim, Zahurul Islam, 47, a resident of Khuntigachha village in the upazila, said he was bitten by a group of dogs but he was fine now as he took the vaccine.
Another victim, Abrar Fardin, 19, of Tarash municipal area said he was attacked by some of the local stray dogs on his way to the market. When he ran to defend himself, an aggressive dog bit him. He is now regularly receiving free vaccines from Tarash Upazila Parishad, he added.
Tarash Municipality Secretary Md Ashraful Alam Bhuiyan said that many people complained about the cruelty of dogs and brought complaints to the municipality recently but, they have nothing to do for the court order given in 2012 against killing of stray dogs.
Tarash Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Md Jamal Mia said, “Ordinary people can get free rabies vaccine from Tarash Upazila Parishad with our prescription”.
