Bhubaneswar: A minor boy was critically injured after being mauled by a pack of stray dogs in Mahanala village under Patapur police station limits in Ganjam district on Friday.
The victim, identified as Arish Kumar (9), was playing in the courtyard of his house when more than five stray dogs suddenly surrounded him. According to family members, the boy tried to fend off the animals, but the dogs attacked him aggressively, inflicting multiple bite injuries, including a severe scalp wound where a portion of skin and hair was reportedly torn off.
Hearing the child’s screams, family members and local residents immediately rushed to the spot and rescued him from the dogs.
Arish was first rushed to Digapahandi Community Health Centre in critical condition. Due to the seriousness of his injuries, he was referred to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for advanced treatment.
Doctors at MKCG later referred him to a hospital in Bhubaneswar for further specialized care.
The incident has triggered widespread panic and anger among residents of the area, who have expressed serious concern over the growing menace of stray dogs. Many families fear for the safety of children playing outdoors.
Locals have appealed to the district administration and municipal authorities to take immediate and strict measures, including removal or sterilization of stray dogs, to prevent such attacks in the future.
