Pabna, Sept 02 (V7N) – At least 28 people, including women, men and children, have been injured in stray dog attacks in Bera municipal area of Pabna over the past two days, triggering widespread panic among local residents.

Of the victims, 16 were reportedly attacked by a single dog as it moved through four neighbourhoods. Another 12 people were injured in separate attacks by several other dogs.

According to local sources, the first incident occurred at around 10:30 am on August 30, when an eight-year-old boy, Raiyan, son of Ripon Hossain of Bongram neighbourhood, was bitten by a dog. The child sustained a serious injury to his leg.

The same dog subsequently attacked people in Bongram, Sanyalpara, Chakpara and Saudagarpara neighbourhoods, injuring 16 people, including children, women and elderly residents.

Meanwhile, 12 other people were injured in separate dog attacks in different parts of the municipality. They included five-year-old Md Shuvo of Sanila neighbourhood, 55-year-old Abdul Kader of Dakshinpara, Rabeya, 40, Tadhuri, 7, Arzu, 27, Aleya, 65, and Hamida, 50.

The injured were taken to Bera Upazila Health Complex, where they received necessary treatment and anti-rabies vaccines.

Abdul Kader, one of those attacked, said he was walking along a road when a dog suddenly ran towards him and bit his leg.

“I could not understand what was happening. The dog suddenly attacked me and bit my leg. I later went to the hospital for treatment. It has become difficult to move around the streets because of fear of the dogs,” he said.

Local residents said the attacks occurred on various roads in the municipal area from around 10:30 am on August 30 until 2:00 pm on August 31.

They said many children were now afraid to go to school because of the dogs, while many residents were avoiding leaving their homes unless absolutely necessary.

Bera Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Tahmina Yasmin said all those injured in dog attacks were brought to the health complex and received treatment.

“After the patients were brought to the health complex, we properly cleaned their wounds and provided the necessary vaccines and treatment before allowing them to return home,” she said.

She stressed that anyone bitten by a dog should clean the wound promptly and visit a hospital as soon as possible to receive the necessary anti-rabies treatment and complete the recommended vaccination course.

Meanwhile, residents have urged the municipal authorities to take immediate measures to identify and control the stray dogs responsible for the attacks and restore a sense of safety in the area.

END/MSR/SMA/