Over 30 people bitten by dogs at Alappuzha Railway Station in 6 months

Alappuzha: Over the past six months, more than 30 people have been bitten by dogs at Alappuzha Railway Station, raising serious concerns about safety at the station.

Recent reports highlight that dog bites have become a common issue for passengers at the station. The most recent victim, Arshad, was bitten last Sunday. Some of the bites have been severe, with a few victims requiring medical attention.

Passengers have expressed concerns about the lack of security at the station, noting that if bitten, filing a complaint seems futile. The railways seem to deny responsibility in this matter. While the municipality is accountable if a dog bites someone on city roads or public spaces, passengers question whether the railways has no responsibility to remove dogs from their own platform. However, the municipality has claimed that all dogs in the area are vaccinated.

Stray dogs everywhere on platform

Dogs can be seen throughout the station premises, including the platform, restrooms, and even at the ticket counter. Passengers report being bitten while waiting for their trains, with some dogs hiding under benches and attacking unsuspecting travellers.

Some passengers contribute to the issue by feeding the dogs, inadvertently increasing their numbers. The dogs don’t hesitate to resist when employees try to chase the dogs away. While some dogs remain permanently at the station, it’s the ones that come and go that tend to harass passengers.