In a heartbreaking incident, Khadeera Banu, a four-year-old girl from Shastri Layout, Davangere, died of rabies nearly four months after being mauled by a stray dog. The attack occurred in April 2025, while she was playing outside her home. The dog bit her on the face and multiple body parts, leaving her critically injured.
Despite initial treatment at a local hospital, Khadeera was later transferred to Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (IGICH) in Bengaluru. Doctors confirmed she was suffering from dumb rabies, a form of the disease that causes paralysis rather than aggression.
What Is Dumb Rabies?
Dumb rabies presents as neurological deterioration, leading to paralysis, unresponsiveness, and ultimately death. Khadeera showed no reflexes and required emergency intubation before succumbing to the illness.
Family’s Struggle and Medical Costs
Khadeera’s family, with limited means—her father a street vendor and mother a homemaker—claimed they spent nearly ₹8 lakh on treatment. However, hospital authorities clarified that actual medical costs were significantly lower, estimating around ₹60,000–₹70,000.
Rising Concern Over Stray Dog Attacks
This incident has reignited public outrage over the stray dog menace in Karnataka. Between January and August 2025, the state reported:
- 2.86 lakh dog bite cases
- 26 suspected rabies deaths
Earlier this month, Karnataka Lokayukta Justice BS Patil criticized the BBMP for failing to establish observation homes for aggressive dogs.
Supreme Court Intervention
The tragedy comes amid a national debate on stray dog management. The Supreme Court recently ordered authorities in Delhi-NCR to relocate stray dogs to shelters, mandating sterilization and vaccination. The court warned of strict action against any organization obstructing the process
