Sixer a five month old pup is suspected of rabies. His caregiver Bhawana (M- 8826098291) observed some unusual behaviour in Sixer on 11th November. He was absolutely fine till 10th November playing with his mother and the people around him. 

He was experiencing seizures, running fever and an open jaw which was salivating. 

He was neither ferocious nor biting but the caregiver got worried and called C.P. Bharadwaj a self taught doctor for the stray animals. His contribution is quite unacknowledged but many dogs have survived because of his treatment and immediate medical help. Caregivers too don't have much option as there are hardly any animal hospitals or medical help available. Also unlike a pet dog taking a stray dog for treatment is not easy so C.P. Bharadwaj (M- 9899660335) is like God sent for both the dog and the caregiver.

After diagnosing the dog Bharadwaj came to the conclusion that the dog might be having rabies. Rabies is a deadly disease but one which can be easily prevented by giving the dog rabies vaccination.

Unfortunately Sixer was not vaccinated and now Bhawana was thinking where to get the dog admitted.

In such situations every person residing in Delhi thinks of only two places. SGACC (Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre) and Friendicoes.

Bhavana decided on SGACC but now the problem was who will take him. 

There is complete lack of govt support for sick and injured dogs. The MCD has vans for dog Sterilization only. 

Do they have any provision or place for rabies infected dogs? 

Even if they have the common man of Delhi is not aware of it.

Anyhow there are few big hearted people who are volunteering to take the injured and sick stray dogs in their vehicle (personal cars) to the nearest NGO for medical assistance. 

Bobby (Amandeep Singh M-8860428420) is one such volunteer who works for the stray and has converted his car into animal ambulance. 

Sometimes people pay him conveyance charges and sometimes people don't.

Bobby picked up the dog and took him to SGACC. 

SGACC is the biggest animal shelter and provides 24 hour medical help. But unfortunately people don't realize that the place also has limited space. With growing intolerance towards dogs people are abandoning their dogs, injuring them and often dumping them at SGACC.

The place today is overcrowded with stray dogs. Managing the dogs and bearing their medical and food expenses is not easy especially when people in India have a negative mindset towards giving donations.

We Indians want everything for free and if it is an NGO then they dare not ask for any money. If they are asking for money then we tag them as corrupt. 

CSR in animal sector especially for dogs is almost negligible in India. Thanks to the negative attitude towards stray dogs. People just don't want to see them. 

Anyway thank God SGACC is there in Delhi. Sixer was admitted at the centre on 13th November and is there under observation ever since. 

The dog was eating food but not having water on 14th November and on 15th November he has stopped eating food also. His jaws are open and he is salivating. 

The dog is still under observation but his condition is deteriorating. 

There is a very strong possibility that Sixer has rabies but was he beaten to death with rods and bricks for being suspected with the most deadly disesse?

Thanks to Bhawana his caregiver who was sensible enough to not let that happen to him. She called C.P. Bharadwaj and he was sensible enough to have detected the symptoms and suggested to get him admitted in a hospital.

But what would they do if no one would have admitted him?

SGACC was kind enough to have admitted Sixer and give him a chance to survive. Had it been any other animal shelter they would have instantly put him to sleep. Thanks to SGACC for giving Sixer a chance to survive.

Sixer may not survive for long but what do we learn from this incident?

If only he was vaccinated on time the chances of him being infected by rabies would be negligible. He may not be suffering from rabies right now but we cannot rule out the possibility because he is not vaccinated.

Dog vaccination alone can eradicate canine rabies from India. 

We have to prevent dogs being infected by rabies. ABC programme not only sterilizes the dogs to control their population but also gives them rabies vaccination.

There are many parapvets in Delhi NCR who  are giving their services in getting the dogs vaccinated by visiting on the site. Many caregivers are already taking their help in getting their dogs vaccinated. But unfortunately many caregivers / dog feeders are not aware of it.

Had Bhawana known this vital information Sixer would be still playing in her courtyard. His mother is still looking for him and waiting for her son to return.......