Vaccinated Pet Dog’s Nail Scratch Leads to Gujarat Cop’s Death from Rabies

Treated at KD Hospital, Inspector Manjariya Lost His Battle With Rabies Within Just 5 Days From the Onset of Symptoms

A police inspector serving in Ahmedabad’s control room, Vanraj Manjariya, succumbed to death from rabies infection, following a minor scratch by his timely vaccinated pet German Shepherd. The 50-year-old Inspector is survived by his wife, a daughter who is in the final year of chartered accountancy, and a son in the first year of graduation. 

The sudden death of Inspector Manjariya shocked the city police force and his mourning family members alike. Local reports described it as an alarm to the lethal consequences of seemingly minor injuries caused by domestic animals.

Rabies Symptoms to Death: All In Just 5 Days

According to a report by Gujarat Samachar, the police officer sustained a scratch from his pet dog’s nail around five days ago. He didn’t seek immediate medical care, believing it was a minor scratch. Reportedly, the small wound led to the onset of rabies, a disease without any effective cure once symptoms develop.

Inspector Manjariya was immediately admitted to KD Hospital in Ahmedabad. After a couple of days of treatment, he succumbed to the infection. Hospital sources said that the progression of the disease was “rapid and irreversible”.

"During the early hours of Monday, he suffered cardiac arrest and was declared dead by doctors," one of Manjariya’s colleagues said.

Inspector P T Chaudhary recalled, "He himself had two to three pet dogs which he took good care of. Nobody knows how he suffered rabies and succumbed to it. I came to know from some family members that he had fever first, which gradually turned into hydrophobia, and he was primarily diagnosed with rabies.”

Is It Really A Case of Rabies?

Doctors treating the inspector said samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. "Manjariya had clinical symptoms associated with rabies, including hydrophobia (fear of water) and aerophobia (fear of fresh air or drafts), and neurological involvement. However, the death can be attributed to rabies only after laboratory confirmation," said one of the doctors.

One of Manjariya’s colleagues added that family members mentioned he had multiple pet dogs, one of which had been missing and later returned. "None of the dogs showed any signs of rabies infection. He also handled dead bodies in the past as part of his duty. The family did mention scratch marks, but no major ones were found. Thus, clear signs were missing in the case."

Rabies Awareness: Must-know Facts
 

Rabies, an almost fatal viral disease, is only preventable with immediate treatment after exposure. Following contact with the infected animal’s saliva, most commonly via a bite, the symptoms arise within days to weeks. Rabies causes fatal inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. The patients often show erratic behaviour and neurological decline. Sometimes, patients are physically restrained to prevent self-harm.

Hospital officials confirmed that during his final hours, Manjariya had to be tied to his bed as the virus affected his brain.

According to health officials, pet vaccination is essential but does not eliminate the risk of infection. They also urged pet owners and the public to visit the medical center immediately after a scratch or bite, even from vaccinated animals. Prompt medical attention, including anti-rabies prophylaxis, is crucial to prevent any fatal outcomes.

Supreme Court Orders on Stray Dogs

Following a suo motu case over a media report on stray dog bites leading to rabies, particularly among children, in the capital, the Supreme Court directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to “round up strays and confine them in shelters”. Eleven days later, the order changed course, permitting “release after vaccination and deworming”, and that “aggressive or rabid animals be retained”. 

The Gujarat Police officer’s death raised alarm over pet safety and awareness of rabies prevention. Meanwhile, India faces a high number of rabies and animal bite-related deaths annually, increasing medical expenses for families. 

Recently published ICMR-NIE reports revealed that approximately 5,726 rabies-related deaths occur in India annually. To make India rabies-free by 2030, the government is strictly following improved anti-rabies vaccination and dog sterilization programs.