Gujarat : Ahmedabad Police Inspector Dies of Rabies After Pet Dog Bite

Ahmedabad | Gujarat — In a chilling reminder of how deadly rabies can be if ignored, Police Inspector (PI) Vanraj Manjaria, on duty in the Ahmedabad City Police control room, died after contracting rabies from a pet dog bite. Despite treatment at KD Hospital, he succumbed after one and a half days of battling the infection, leaving his family and the police force in deep mourning.

According to police sources, Manjaria did not realize when exactly the dog had bitten or scratched him. By the time his health deteriorated and he was hospitalized, it was already too late.

“This is a devastating loss for the Ahmedabad Police. PI Manjaria was an officer known for his dedication and discipline,” said a senior police official while paying tribute.

A Respected Officer, Fond of Dogs

Originally from Amreli and residing in Adalaj, PI Manjaria joined the police department as a PSI in 2001 and steadily rose to the rank of Inspector. Recently, he was serving as Admin PI in the control room.

Colleagues recall him as an animal lover. He kept pet dogs both at his home and on his farm. It was reportedly the nails of a street dog he kept at his residence that caused the wound leading to infection.

“He had a special attachment to dogs. None of us ever thought his fondness for pets would lead to such a tragic end,” said a fellow officer, visibly shaken.

Rabies: A Silent Killer

Rabies is one of the deadliest viral infections, carried in the saliva of infected animals. Once the virus enters the body through a bite or scratch, it targets the nervous system and brain.

Doctors explain that the incubation period can last from weeks to months, sometimes even years. Once symptoms appear—such as restlessness, difficulty swallowing, hydrophobia, or paralysis—the disease is almost always fatal.

“The only way to prevent rabies is immediate vaccination within 72 hours of exposure. Delay reduces the effectiveness of the vaccine drastically,” said a senior doctor at KD Hospital.

Awareness Still a Challenge

Medical experts stress that negligence and misinformation continue to claim lives. Many people do not complete the full 5-dose vaccination schedule, and some still rely on harmful home remedies such as applying chili powder, cow dung, or coffee on wounds.

“Rabies kills around 20,000 people every year in India. It is 100% preventable, but only if the vaccine is taken on time. PI Manjaria’s case should be a wake-up call,” said Dr. Hitesh Patel, an infectious disease specialist in Ahmedabad.

Earlier, patients had to undergo 14 to 16 painful injections. Now, advanced vaccines require only five doses over four weeks, starting with rabies immunoglobulin.

Mourning and Message

The Ahmedabad City Police offered condolences to Manjaria’s family. “We have lost a brave officer. His service and contribution will always be remembered,” read a statement from the Commissioner’s office.

But beyond grief, the tragedy has sparked an urgent call for awareness. “No one should die of rabies in today’s time. Every scratch or bite must be treated as serious. This loss underlines the importance of awareness and timely medical intervention,” said a senior officer.