A severe rabies scare has gripped the residents of Anchalumoodu and surrounding areas after a stray dog, which went on a biting spree injuring around 15 people, tested positive for rabies. The disease was confirmed during a post-mortem examination conducted at the District Veterinary Centre. The confirmation has triggered widespread panic among the local community, especially those currently undergoing treatment for dog bites.

The situation has escalated into a public health concern as officials fear the infected dog might have interacted with other stray animals and cattle in the locality before its death. To prevent a potential outbreak, the local body and Animal Husbandry Department have launched an emergency vaccination drive. Authorities have announced plans to capture as many stray dogs as possible in the area to administer anti-rabies vaccinations immediately.

The incident highlights a larger crisis brewing across the district, which has witnessed a sharp increase in stray dog attacks over recent weeks. According to Animal Husbandry Department, infrastructure limitations are severely crippling population control efforts. Currently, Kollam district operates only a single Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre, a facility that officials admit is entirely inadequate to manage the rising stray dog population across the district.

Aggravating the problem, the crucial birth control programme has ground to a complete halt due to administrative delays. An official from the department said that since the election was declared, the ABC programme has been on a standstill. Experts and officials warn that such gaps in execution will lead to a considerable and rapid increase in the stray dog population, escalating conflicts between humans and street dogs.

Local resident associations are calling for immediate intervention, pointing out that children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to these aggressive packs. Many families have expressed hesitation to send their children outdoors or to walk through the streets after dusk, demanding that the local administration speed up the stray dog tracking process. For now, the focus remains entirely on containment, with squads being mobilized to map out the areas the rabid dog frequented.