A 30-year-old bank employee in Maharashtra’s Kalyan allegedly died by suicide on Sunday (February 22), reportedly fearing that he had contracted rabies after being attacked by a stray dog. Aish Vishwanath Amin, a resident of the Tisgaon Naka area in Kalyan East, had been working at the Thane branch of Bharat Bank for the past eight years, according to PTI. He lived with his family and was described as a dedicated professional.
Amin, as per officials, was found hanging at his house in the Tisgaon Naka area of Kalyan East on Sunday evening. According to the police, the victim lived with his elderly parents and brother in a flat and worked at a cooperative bank for over eight years. Family members told police that Amin was bitten by a stray dog a few days ago. He had reportedly begun the anti-rabies vaccination process and had taken one injection, however, they noticed unusual changes in his behaviour and increasing anxiety about his health, the official said. An accidental death report has been registered, and a further investigation is underway.
In response, the Thane Municipal Corporation launched a special drive titled “Rabies-Free Thane”, aiming to vaccinate over 25,000 stray dogs in the coming weeks. Medical experts said rabies is preventable if prompt and complete post-exposure prophylaxis is administered. In its advanced neurological stage, the viral infection can cause agitation, hallucinations, hydrophobia (fear of water), muscle spasms and abnormal behaviour. Doctors have urged citizens to immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek authorised medical treatment after any dog bite or scratch, irrespective of whether the animal appears rabid.