A fierce cat has instilled fear among residents of an Algerian town in an unusual incident. After contracting rabies, it scratched and bit dozens of citizens, prompting parents to prevent their children from going outside for hours.
Details reveal that residents of the municipality of Baraki (20 km south of central Algiers) experienced relentless terror for days due to a stray cat roaming the neighborhoods and attacking passersby. The dissemination of news regarding the cat’s rabies infection heightened people's fear, as its bite could be fatal.
Residents expressed their significant concerns on social media about the potential danger posed by this "ferocious cat" to their lives, particularly the lives of their children, leading them to restrict children's outdoor activities.
The Baraki municipality took action and dispatched personnel to capture the animal. A statement signed by the head of the municipal council warned about the danger of the "stray cat that scratched or bit some citizens in the Baraki neighborhoods." The public was urged to head to the Sidi Moussa health center (25 km south of central Algeria) immediately if bitten, to undergo necessary examinations to avoid the risk of death.
The municipality confirmed that "the cat is infected with rabies," calling on residents, especially children and pet owners, to be cautious and not let their pets roam freely without adhering to required preventive measures.
The news sparked considerable interaction among social media users in Algeria, with some downplaying the cat's threat, expressing surprise at the fear it generated among residents. Some questioned, "Hundreds of stray cats roam the streets along with stray dogs we have become accustomed to; how can one cat cause all this fear?" Others suggested that residents should have captured it rather than allowing it to cause such panic. Meanwhile, some called on local authorities in Baraki and other municipalities to regularly clear the streets of stray animals to prevent potential disasters.