Shocking death: Doglover Stephin dies of rabies

ATTINGAL: Anchuthengu native Stephin V Periera is a pet lover. She used to feed stray dogs in front of her house. It was routine and nobody cared big about the issue. However, last Sunday proved a shock to the neighborhood. They were not able to digest the news. Stephin V Periera died suddenly, and that too in a suspected case of rabies while feeding stray dogs.

Stephin(49) was a medical transcriptionist, settled in Bangalore for many years. On June 7, she reached her family home in Anchuthengu to look after her ailing brother Charles who was admitted to medical college. Stephin was a bystander to her brother when the doctors treating Charles turned suspicious of her behavior. They soon convinced Stephin and moved her into a special ward.

While in treatment, Stephin revealed the real story to the doctor. She was providing food for stray dogs when one among the pack attacked her with a mere scratch. The injury was small that Stephin found it unwanted to get it treated. She thought the injury never warranted concern while the scratch marks will soon fade away. However, the suspicion of rabies turned big and infected leading to death. Stephin is unmarried.