Mumbai: 22 children attacked by rabid stray dog

At least 25 people were attacked by a stray dog in in the Shivaji Nagar area of Govandi on Thursday. Of these, 22 victims were children under 10 years, HT reports.

At least 25 people were attacked by a stray dog in in the Shivaji Nagar area of Govandi on Thursday. Of these, 22 victims were children under 10 years.

HT Image

The children were playing in the Bainganwadi slum area when the stray dog started attacking them.

Locals heard some children crying and rushed to the spot. The dog had developed rabies a few months ago and the locals eventually killed the dog, fearing further attacks.

The victims were taken to Shatabdi Hospital and those with relatively grave injuries were shifted to Lokmanya Tilka Municipal General Hospital in Sion.

“Six dog bite victims were referred to us. We admitted four and the remaining two refused to be admitted. The condition of all those admitted is stable and there is no cause for concern,” said Dr Avinash Supe, dean of Sion Hospital.

According to the locals, several complaints had been lodged against the diseased dog in the past, but no action was taken.

While locals claimed that 25 children were attacked, a civic official claimed that only 16 cases were reported to them.

According to civic data, 63 people have died on account of dog bites over the past five years.

While 82, 274 cases of dog bites cases were reported in 2012, so far, 7, 716 cases have been reported this year.