KOCHI: The stray dog, that attacked a three-year-old girl and bit off part of her ear has tested positive for rabies. The infection was confirmed in the tests conducted at the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur. The incident took place last Sunday at Chittattukara in North Paravur, where Nihara, the daughter of Mirash and Vinumol, was attacked by the stray dog. The child was sitting in the courtyard with her father when the dog suddenly attacked her.

During the attack, a portion of the child's right ear was bitten off. Doctors later performed surgery to stitch the severed part back. It will take a few more days to know whether the procedure was successful. Nihara is currently under observation in the post-operative ward of a private hospital in Ernakulam. She was also tested for rabies, and the result has come back negative.

The dog attacked while the father and daughter were sitting outside watching children play nearby. Mirash tried to chase the dog away, but by then, the child’s ear had already been bitten. According to locals, stray dog menace has been severe in the area for some time. The injured child was first taken to a private hospital in Paravur, then to Kalamassery Medical College, and later shifted to the private hospital in Ernakulam, where she is now being treated.