India's Stray Dogs as a Public Health Risk: An Autopsy Case Report and Comprehensive Review

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Authors: Sahil Thakral, Ajay Kumar
Cited by: 1
References: 8

Abstract

A major public health issue is stray dogs, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas. Particularly for small children, who are more vulnerable to serious injury and deadly assaults, stray dogs can present serious risks. While playing outside his house, a 5-year-old kid was fatally bitten by a stray dog. Severe head, neck, and back injuries, including deep cuts, exposed occipital bone, abrasions, and bruises, were discovered during an autopsy. The internal findings were a jugular vein tear, laryngeal perforations, vertebral avulsion, and neck muscle lacerations. The growing number of stray dogs raises serious public health issues, necessitating quick action through immunization, sterilization, public awareness campaigns, and improved infrastructure. Dog bite victims' autopsies provide important information, but they also highlight difficulties in determining injuries caused by animals.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Rabies epidemiology and control Restraint-Related Deaths Human-Animal Interaction Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Academic Forensic Pathology
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Pages
19253621261460496–19253621261460496
Publication date
9 July 2026
Language
EN