4 people in hospital after stray dog bites them on Thane’s streets

Civic officials have caught the dog since then, say it is under observation for rabies

A stray dog bit and injured at least four people, including a one-year-old baby, in Thane on Wednesday morning before it was caught and impounded by officials from Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC). The incident took place around 11.30am near the Thane Commissionerate. Police officials at the spot and eyewitnesses said the dog bit four people in a 10-minute span.

Police officials at the spot and other eyewitnesses said the dog bit four people in a 10-minute span. (HT File Photo/Used for representational purpose only)

The injured include Miyesh Mane, 8, the son of a police constable, Jaya Mhaskar,53, a constable, Payal Walmiki, 20, and a one-year-old boy Rohit Pawar.

While Mane and Mhaskar were admitted to Thane civil hospital after first aid, Walmiki and Pawar have been shifted to Kalwa civil hospital, said Vidya Chapalgaonkar, chief medical officer at Thane civil hospital.

Miyeshs’s mother, Rashmi Mane, said that they would write to TMC’s concerned department, demanding that the dogs in the area be sterilised.

Even as angry locals beat up the dog, TMC officials arrived at the spot and took the dog to TMC’s veterinary doctor. Shama Nare, veterinary doctor, TMC’s health department, said: “The dog will be under observation for 10 days. If he has rabies, we will take necessary action, or else he will be released.”

“It has bit another stray dog. We have called the TMC dog rescue team and are trying to locate the other injured dog,” said P Patil, a police constable from Thane commissionerate.

As a precautionary measure, doctors at the hospital are giving anti-rabies shots to the patients, an official said.

Dr Viveka Vatwani, CEO, Pet owners and Animal Lovers, said, “We have tried to understand the cause for the dog’s behaviour. It is possible that he may be suffering from a condition, and is provoked by members of the public. We should create awareness about animal cruelty among people.”