Dog attack leaves 65 injured in Shivpuri, several children among victims

BHOPAL: A stray dog attacked and injured 65 people, including children, women and men within a few hours, in eight different localities of Shivpuri district on Saturday before being captured by a municipal corporation team.

Among the worst affected was a two-and-a-half-year-old girl who sustained severe facial injuries after the dog clamped its jaws onto her face while she was playing outside her house. Family members and neighbours rescued the child after a struggle. She suffered deep wounds and several stitches.

In a separate attack by the same dog, the scalp of a child was torn, requiring several stitches. Another resident suffered severe injuries in the attack and needed 22 stitches.

According to reports, the dog unleashed attacks in different parts of the city from morning till evening.

The most severe attacks were reported from Laxmibai Colony Road behind the palace area. During one rescue attempt, another resident was also bitten while trying to save a victim.

At around 3:30 pm, an eight-year-old girl from the palace area was attacked by the dog.

Recalling the attack, a victim said the dog suddenly ran toward him, collided with a vehicle and then bit him before fleeing the spot. At the fruit market in Thandi Sadak, fruit vendor Rahish Rain was bitten on the hand while working at his shop. CCTV footage from the market reportedly captured the dog suddenly lunging at him.

Dog-bite incidents were reported from several areas of the city, including Hanuman Chauraha, MM Hospital area, Nawab Saheb Road, Khuda Basti, Custom Gate, Gandhi Park, Fruit Market and Laxmibai Colony Road.

District Hospital officers said 65 people arrived at the hospital between morning and evening after suffering dog bites. All the injured were treated, and adequate stocks of anti-rabies vaccines and medicines are available, he added.

The dog reportedly turned aggressive between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm, attacking around 30 more residents across at least eight localities. Several teams were deployed by the municipal authorities to search for the aggressive dog, which was finally captured around 7 pm, bringing relief to residents. The incident comes amid growing concern over stray dog attacks nationwide and at a time when the Supreme Court has adopted a stricter stance on the issue. On May 20, the apex court observed that stray dogs found to be rabid, incurably ill or dangerous may be euthanised if required.