Palanpur: At least 17 people were injured after a wild animal, suspected to be rabid fox, attacked residents sleeping outdoors and near their homes in Vouva village of Santalpur taluka in Patan district after midnight on Saturday. Three people with severe bite injuries remain under treatment.A girl suffered a severe bite on her cheek, while an elderly woman sustained a serious scalp would caused by the animal. Several others suffered deep bites on different parts of their bodies, triggering panic in the village.The injured were taken to GMERS Medical College and Hospital in Dharpur for treatment.According to Dr Akash Patel, medical officer at the hospital, around 15 patients had reported since 6am. “All the patients were given immunoglobulin, while three patients with more severe bite injuries remain under treatment,” Dr Patel said.The forest department has yet to establish which animal was responsible for the attacks, although villagers believe it was a rabid fox.Forest department teams collected information on pugmarks at the site and recorded statements from villagers as part of the investigation.“The species will be established only after analysing the pugmarks and completing other technical investigations,” an official said.According to injured eyewitness Laxman Ahir, the animal approached his house at around 4.30am and attacked his son. Ahir drove it away by punching it and rescued the boy. The animal then attacked his elder brother, biting him near the jaw.The animal later entered Thakor Vaas, where it attacked six or seven people. It also targeted people sleeping in an open ground. Villagers said the attacks continued until morning. The animal reportedly attacked cattle as well.Another injured woman said she returned home at 5am after attending bhajans at a temple. She was sleeping near her house when the animal emerged from nearby bushes and bit her severely on the face.Pugmarks of the attacking animal were found near a fence. Officials said the marks suggested it had emerged from the scrub and passed under the fencing. Bloodstains were also found at the site.Villagers have been advised to remain alert as the animal may still be in the area.
