By Alex Guite
LAMKA, January 20: With the number of dog-bite related casualties rising and no let up witness in the Lamka Town, a district based cable network hosted a live talk show yesterday which was participated by family members of some victims of the recent dog-bite menace, doctors and the district administration led by deputy commissioner, Churachandpur Lunminthang, CEO, Autonomous District Council Churachandpur Manmuanching, CMO Dr Thangchinkhup Guite, DSWO Dr Vumchinpau Tonsing, Veterinary joint director Dr R Kholum and veterinary private practitioner Dr Malsom Valte.
During the talk, the CMO highlighted that people should not try to treat dog-bite victims with traditional healing methods which was seconded by the DSWO.
DSWO Dr V Toning categorically stated that the primitive practice of treating such victims and trying to extract the dog`™s venom with traditional healing methods should be shunted at any cost.
The rise in the number of the deaths is due to the public`™s ignorance of the medical treatment including proper vaccination for such cases, he observed.
Replying to a query, joint director veterinary said dogs that have bitten someone should not be killed but closely observed for 14 days and if in case it dies by the time, the dog could be rapid.
He further lamented the lack of veterinary doctors and other staff in his department.
On the question of providing compensation, the DC said a way will be worked out to facilitate the victim families and forwarded the issue to the higher authority.
The SDO CCpur who also acts as the publicity in charge of the administration asked the victim families to submit the death certificates of the dog-bite related victims.
Replying to a question raised by the IFP correspondent on the issue of loss of human life, the district head said human lives are much more important than that of the animals.
Dr Malsom said people should not panic as no rabies related death have been established and that deaths do not occur instant in dog-bite cases.