To be honest, every time I visit Bali, the dogs on the streets evoke a mix of affection and caution. A recent incident in Bangli serves as a stark reminder that you really shouldn’t get too close to stray dogs on the streets.
Here’s What Happened
Around 4 PM on July 13, a 30-year-old Chinese tourist named Li Qiujun was bitten on her right thigh by a white dog after shopping at a supermarket in Kelurahan Kawan, Bangli, just as she was about to meet her guide and head back to Ubud. She had only finished shopping at the supermarket across from Bangli Hospital and was waiting for a ride to Ubud, never expecting this ordeal.
What’s even more alarming is that before biting her, the same dog had already attacked a local resident named Ni Ketut Suciasih near her home north of the Bangli detention center. In other words, this dog bit two people in a single day.
After the Bite, Treatment Hit a Snag
Li Qiujun sought medical help about three hours after the bite. Bangli Hospital performed emergency wound debridement and pressure bandaging. But here’s the catch—the hospital itself didn’t have rabies vaccine (VAR) in stock and could only advise her to go to a clinic or health center for the shots. She was admitted around 7 PM and discharged in less than half an hour, meaning the hospital could only provide basic wound care.
Fortunately, Li Qiujun later received the vaccine at a clinic in Ubud, while the other victim, Suciasih, also got her shots at a local health center.
What Happened to That Dog
Local livestock and animal health authorities stated that the aggressive dog had already been killed by residents. Its brain sample has been sent for testing, with results expected in two weeks. Only then can it be confirmed whether the two victims were actually infected with rabies. What’s particularly puzzling is that officials said the dog showed no abnormalities the day before it bit someone—it was only the next day that it suddenly changed temperament and began attacking.
A friendly reminder for those heading to Bali
To be honest, Bali has quite a large number of stray dogs, especially in rural areas or around markets. Once rabies develops, it’s almost always fatal, and the incubation period can vary widely, so it’s not something to take lightly. If you’re traveling to Bali, it’s best to keep your distance and avoid petting stray dogs on the street. If you do get bitten or scratched, wash the wound immediately, seek medical attention as soon as possible, and proactively ask where you can get a rabies vaccine—because, as this incident shows, not every hospital has it in stock. Knowing in advance which nearby clinic or health center has the vaccine can save you precious time in a critical moment.
Quick reference: Bali Travel Scare: Taiwanese Tourist Bitten by Dog, Rabies Vaccine Costs Soar to NT$180,000 (USD$5,806)!
Quick reference: How to protect yourself? Bali Tourist Hotspots Strengthen Rabies Prevention Measures
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