Kanpur: A 55-year-old labourer died after undergoing treatment for 18 days for injuries sustained in an attack by an allegedly rabid horse in Sanigawan Double Colony area of Kanpur on Sept 14.The victim, Rahmat Ali, died about an hour after his family discharged him from Lala Lajpat Rai (LLR) Hospital, alleging that they could no longer afford his treatment.He was among seven people injured in the horse attack. Two other victims, Afsana and Babulal Kannaujiya, were also seriously injured and are still undergoing treatment.Rahmat’s brother-in-law, Mohammad Aslam, said the horse caused severe abdominal injuries, leading to extensive infection.He said the family borrowed around Rs 70,000 from relatives to fund his treatment, and shifted him to LLR Hospital from a private facility after his condition worsened.He further alleged that after relatives and acquaintances declined to lend more money, the family approached officials seeking financial assistance but received no help.His family also levelled allegations against doctors and the health department.They alleged that Rahmat might have survived had he received better treatment. They also questioned Municipal Corporation’s arrangements for dealing with stray and violent animals.Doctors said it was the first such case they had encountered and that further details would emerge after the post-mortem examination.Chakeri ACP Ashutosh Singh said police had received information about the incident and were taking further action. The post-mortem examination would be conducted with the family’s consent, he added.
