A European tourist had some terrible luck. What started as a good deed for a helpless animal ended in disaster when she was bitten by a rabid dog.
Angela D, a foreign national, faced this misfortune while trying to rescue a stray puppy in Ubud, Gianyar, Bali. The tourist, whose specific nationality isn’t known, was bitten by the puppy, which later tested positive for rabies.
Ni Nyoman Ariyuni, the Head of Gianyar Health Department, reported that the incident occurred on Monday, September 23. The European tourist found the small puppy in Banjar Kutuh, Desa Sayan, Ubud.
Angela put the mixed-breed puppy into a sack with the intention of taking it to an animal clinic for care. Unfortunately, on the way, the dog bit her hand.
She immediately received medical attention, and the 46-year-old woman was given a rabies vaccination (VAR) at the Toya Medika Clinic.
The rabid dog was taken to Saka Vet animal clinic in Desa Lodtunduh for observation. However, the three-month-old puppy died just three days later, on September 26, 2024.
The Health Department took a brain sample from the dog, which confirmed the animal had rabies. “The foreign national is scheduled to receive a series of three VAR shots,” Ariyuni explained.
Meanwhile, Wayan Widnyana, Head of the Veterinary Health Unit (UPT) in the Ubud-Payangan area, said they are waiting for a request from the village leaders in Banjar Kutuh to eliminate any stray dogs. Once a request is made, the team will cull any dogs suspected of being rabid.