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Stray Dog Attack in Yellareddy Leaves Over 10 Injured, Vaccine Shortage Fuels Protests
Yellareddy, Telangana – Over a dozen people were severely injured in a shocking stray dog attack in Yellareddy town of Kamareddy district on Saturday, igniting widespread fears and public unrest. The incident, described by local police as one of the most serious in recent memory, has also exposed a critical shortage of anti-rabies vaccines at government health centers, prompting urgent protests from affected residents and their families.
Chaos Strikes: Victims and Timeline
According to eyewitnesses and police reports, the attack began in the early hours near the town’s central market. “The dogs suddenly began chasing people. There was screaming, everyone was running. At least twelve people, including children and elderly, were bitten,” recounted Suresh Goud, a local vegetable vendor who witnessed the chaos.
Most victims sustained serious bite wounds and required immediate medical attention. Frantic scenes unfolded at the Yellareddy Area Hospital, where panicked relatives rushed to secure treatment for the injured. Hospital sources confirmed that while primary care was given, stocks of anti-rabies vaccine ran out after the first wave of victims.
Healthcare System Stretched
The vaccine shortage—already a critical issue across Telangana—was starkly exposed. The hospital's vaccine cupboard was empty by mid-morning Saturday, forcing families to travel to neighboring Kamareddy and Nizamabad for essential doses. “We couldn’t provide vaccines to all,” a senior nurse at Yellareddy Area Hospital admitted. “Some families had to arrange vaccines privately or go to far-off towns.”
Protests Ignite
By late afternoon, tempers flared as affected families, local activists, and concerned citizens gathered outside the hospital, holding banners and chanting slogans demanding state intervention. Police were deployed to manage the crowd.
Sushma Devi, mother of a nine-year-old victim, voiced the frustration of many: “How many more children have to suffer before the government fixes this? Why don’t we have enough vaccines when dog attacks keep happening?”
Government Response & Statements
Local officials assured that emergency vaccine supplies would be rushed to Yellareddy. “We are aware of the shortage,” stated Dr. Murali Rao of the District Medical Office. “Extra doses are being procured and we will ensure all victims get the necessary shots within the critical window.”
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, which has recorded an alarming rise in dog bite cases nationally, is facing renewed scrutiny over vaccine distribution and animal control policies.
A Town in Fear
With at least four of the injured in a critical condition, anxious residents have called for immediate sterilization and vaccination drives for stray dogs. “Our kids are scared to go outside. Authorities must step in now,” said Ravi Kumar, a schoolteacher and protest organizer.
The District Collector has promised a joint meeting of animal husbandry, municipal, and health officials on Monday to address both the rising dog population and the vaccine supply issue.
Final Word
For now, fear and frustration grip Yellareddy. As one resident put it, “Today it was us. Tomorrow, who knows?” The aftermath of this attack—and the protests it triggered—have forced a reckoning over public health preparedness and humane animal control in Telangana.