6-year-old boy mauled by stray dogs in Ganjam

Berhampur: A six-year old boy was severely injured after being mauled by stray dogs at Mahanal in Ganjam district’s Patapur block on Friday, triggering panic among locals. The child is undergoing treatment at a private hospital here and his condition is stable.Sources said two children were playing on the road when five dogs suddenly surrounded and attacked him, while the other boy ran away. The dogs mauled the child, leaving with him severe injuries in his head and face, alleged Simanchal Mahakuda, his uncle.Hearing the child’s scream, a woman who was working on the roadside rushed to the child’s rescue, chased the dogs away and informed his family. The incident has sparked widespread concern among parents and residents of the village.

They alleged that the residents, particularly children and women, feared to step out from their homes due to the dog menace.Around two months ago, a villager was injured after being attacked by the same dogs, said a villager. They demanded the district authorities to curb the growing population of stray dogs and prevent their menace. They also demanded for providing free treatment to the child.Animal activist Lalatendu Choudhury said the animal birth control (ABC) programee being undertaken by Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) needs to be extended to rural areas to control stray dog population and their menace.