A total of seven people, five from Udayamperoor panchayat and two from Thripunithura municipality, sought medical help after reportedly being bitten by a rabid stray dog. The incidents, which occurred over two days starting Friday (January 30, 2026), unfolded after the dog moved through different wards and bit several people.
According to local body representatives, the dog was eventually caught by a team of animal handlers from the Kochi Corporation on Saturday (January 31, 2026). Veterinarians later confirmed that the dog had rabies. All the residents who were bitten have taken anti-rabies vaccination, members of the local bodies said.
According to Shaji S, secretary of Udayamperoor Grama Panchayat, there is no cause for panic as the issue has been contained. He added that regular vaccination drives and Animal Birth Control (ABC) programmes are being carried out in the panchayat.
“We will also conduct a mass anti-rabies vaccination drive to cover all street dogs in the panchayat wards, starting Wednesday (February 4, 2026). We have also noticed people abandoning their pet dogs on the streets. To address this, a project to microchip and tag owned dogs will be proposed in the upcoming local body meeting,” said Mr. Shaji.
Anilkumar M.K., member, Ward 2, said the issue had been contained and that every resident bitten by the dog had sought medical help. The two pet dogs that were bitten by the rabid dog have also been vaccinated. “We believe the rabid dog may have been abandoned by its owner,” he added.
Hariharan O.K., member, Ward 24, Mekkara in Thripunithura, said feeding dogs in undesignated areas could lead to incidents of dog bites. “Despite our pleas, some residents continue to feed leftover food to street dogs. When these dogs do not get food, they start biting people,” Mr. Hariharan added.
Published – February 02, 2026 09:39 pm IST
