Suspected rabid dog attacks 3 people, kills 4 puppies in Ho Chi Minh City

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control, the incident occurred between Monday and Friday last week.

The female dog, a local breed and unvaccinated, has been by her owner’s side for around five years.

It suddenly became aggressive early last week, biting three residents.

It also killed four of its own puppies, injured two other dogs in the household, and attacked seven to eight dogs belonging to neighbors.

Last Friday morning, the dog was found dead.

A neighbor later fed its remains to fish and shrimp.

Local health workers are monitoring the situation and treating it as a suspected rabies outbreak.

Officials stressed that rabies has a nearly 100-percent fatality rate once symptoms appear.

They urged pet owners to get their animals vaccinated annually and use muzzles in public.

Residents bitten by dogs or cats should immediately wash wounds with soap under running water for at least 15 minutes and seek vaccination at medical facilities, avoiding traditional remedies.

The Phuoc Thang Ward health station said it will continue monitoring local dogs, strengthen public awareness campaigns, and enforce measures against stray animals.

Authorities emphasized that community cooperation in regular pet vaccination is the most effective way to prevent rabies.