KOTA BHARU, Oct 4 — An eight-year-old boy who was seriously injured after being attacked by a pack of stray dogs at Pantai Kuala Kemasin, Bachok, on Thursday has received a rabies vaccination and is now being monitored for three weeks. 

The boy’s mother, Rosnani Mat Salleh, 46, said her son, Azuar Firdaus Zuraiman, showed positive progress today after remaining withdrawn for two days as he was still traumatised by the incident. 

“For two days after the incident, he was still frightened and did not want to talk. He mostly kept to himself and sometimes cried because he was in pain from his injuries, especially to his head and neck. 

“Thankfully, his condition has improved today and he has started talking. He can now answer when asked and can recount what happened during the incident,” she told reporters at Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital here today. 

Earlier, Rosnani and her son were visited by the Kelantan Education Department (JPN) Student Development Sector deputy director, Norazan Mat Nor. 

Recalling the incident, Rosnani said Azuar Firdaus was playing on the beach around 9.30 am with three relatives when five stray dogs approached. 

She said the three relatives, aged between two and 11, managed to run away, but Azuar Firdaus fell while trying to escape and became the dogs’ target.

“He tried to escape by running into the sea, but the dogs continued chasing him until someone came to his aid and rescued him. He was semi-conscious after the incident and suffered injuries to his head, neck and hand, including bite wounds, in addition to scratches on his back,” she said. 

Rosnani said her son underwent a five-hour surgery the day after the incident to treat his injuries. 

She said Azuar Firdaus also received a rabies vaccination and is expected to continue being monitored for about three weeks. 

Meanwhile, Norazan said the department is aware of the incident, which is believed to be the first involving a student being seriously injured in a stray dog attack.

He added that the victim has shown positive progress and is expected to be discharged from hospital today. — Bernama