Animal bites

There is a huge issue here with cats and dogs, both stray and pets. My mother got scratched by a cat in our backyard a couple of days ago. It cut her skin and some blood was visible. Initially, there was some debate on whether rabies shots were needed, but this was quickly settled. Next morning we went to the Central Rabies Lab near Civil Lines. This is where they do rabies testing and recommend shots schedule. They told us to go to the Government hospitals in Safdurjung to get the shots. So, we made our way there. My aunt, who is a life-long Delhi resident, knows the ways of the world here. We went to the ER (its called Casualty ward) and of course there was a sizeable crowd. She found her way in, dropped some names, plus there is a general sense of do-good for senior citizens here, and my mother was able to get her first shot. But for subsequent shots, the doctor told us that we would have to go to the Government hospital near our residence, since thats how the accounting for shots works. No problem, we went to the other hospital today. Its in Malviya Nagar. Acutually, its a pretty well-kept hospital, I was pleasantly surprised. Again, there was a sizeable line for OPD, but it moved fast. We were directed to a total of 3 rooms in all, but the system seemed to work pretty well. We were out of there in about an hour30.

Cat and dog bites seem to be a common occurence here. We met this lady..elderly, diabetic, and she was bitten so bad by a monkey on her leg, she needed surgery plus rabies shots. It was sad to see her limping around. She was obviously someone of limited means and I can only imagine the torture she would have gone through. At the previous hospital, we saw mainly kids bitten by dogs. There was one young kid howling with the painful shots.

I didnt realize it at first when I saw young people carrying sticks with them on their AM walks in the park, but these sticks are for warding off animal attacks. In our colony, there are no stray dogs, thanks to a resident who took the initiative to catch all the stray dogs in sacks, and transport them out of the city. Plus there is a HOA rule that no one can feed stray dogs.

Pet-owners dont seem to be holding a tight leash on their dogs. I have seen it twice already...a dog on a leash, jumping up at passerby's and frightening the crap out them. Also, there is this 7-yr old boy who walks a dog twice his size at night, or rather the dog walks the boy.