A Welsh entrepreneur, Oliver Jones living in Bengaluru was bitten by a stray dog while out on a routine morning run near the old airport terminal. He shared about the ordeal that happened on October 19 in social media. The incident occurred as Jones was jogging along HAL Road, an area residents say has seen an increase in aggressive stray dogs this year. Jones posted a photograph from a hospital bed on social media and made light of the episode, writing, “I love stray dogs. Especially the ones who join me on my runs in Bangalore.”
Following the bite, Oliver Jones received rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), including anti-rabies vaccination and a tetanus injection, and was advised to return for follow-up doses as recommended for a potential rabies exposure. He was promptly taken to a nearby hospital by local residents and is expected to complete the course of vaccinations over the coming weeks. To those who asked why he doesn't leave India despite of these situations, he said he remains dedicated to the projects he has started.
The bite has drawn attention amid wider concerns about stray-dog incidents in Bengaluru this year. City reporting indicates thousands of bite incidents have been recorded in 2025, and residents near HAL Road and the old airport terminal have petitioned for stronger animal-control and sterilization measures. Officials and public-health groups have urged caution when exercising outdoors in areas known for packs of free-roaming dogs.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease if untreated once symptoms begin; successful prevention after an exposure depends on immediate wound care and timely post-exposure prophylaxis. Public health guidance recommends thorough wound washing with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, prompt medical assessment, administration of rabies vaccine series and, where indicated, human rabies immune globulin (HRIG). Tetanus vaccination is also routinely considered after animal bites if immunization status is not up to date. The CDC and WHO stress that PEP is nearly 100% effective at preventing rabies if given correctly and promptly.
References
World Health Organization (WHO). “Rabies.” World Health Organization, updated April 17, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Rabies: Postexposure Prophylaxis (PEP).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reviewed August 21, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/medical_care/index.html.
(Rh/Eth/TL)