Residents of Balod district in Chhattisgarh are grappling with fear following a violent incident involving a pet dog. The canine, missing for three days, returned and injured 12 people in the villages of Naragaon and Narra within a single hour. Reflecting a broader public health challenge, Dhamtari District Hospital has treated 42 dog bite cases in just the first 14 days of January. In light of this, Chief Medical Officer U.L. Kaushik has strongly advised residents against delaying medical care for any dog bite or scratch, emphasizing the critical importance of immediate hospital visits to ensure complete recovery. Local leaders have ensured swift medical response for the injured, while schools remain secured to protect children.