Kabaddi player, 22, bit by puppy he was rescuing, dies of rabies

A state-level kabaddi player, Brajesh Solanki, has died of rabies in Bulandshahr district after being bitten by a puppy he rescued a month ago.

The 22-year-old died on June 28 after his condition rapidly deteriorated, with disturbing footage showing him in visible distress on a cot as locals attempted to help.

According to his brother, Sandeep Solanki, Brajesh was bitten while rescuing a stray puppy that had fallen into a drain in their village. Despite the bite, he did not seek medical treatment or receive an anti-rabies vaccine.

"He rescued the puppy, and it bit him during the process. But he didn't take it seriously and never got vaccinated," Sandeep said. He added that Brajesh’s condition worsened on June 26 during a practice session with fellow players. He began struggling to breathe and showing symptoms consistent with rabies.

Sandeep also alleged negligence on the part of government and private hospitals. "We were turned away from multiple government hospitals. A private hospital in Aligarh said it looked like an animal bite and advised us to go to Aligarh Medical College or Delhi. But when we reached the medical college, they refused to admit him," he claimed.

Brajesh’s friends said he never mentioned being bitten. "He never told anyone about the puppy bite. We used to play kabaddi together every day. He was a talented player," said a close friend.

Rabies is a viral disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear but is entirely preventable with timely post-exposure vaccination.