In a tragic incident in Hyderabad's Adarshnagar area, an 18-month-old toddler named Vihaan was fatally mauled by a pack of stray dogs late on Tuesday. The toddler suffered severe injuries to his head, limbs, and other body parts during the attack. Despite being rushed to a hospital, he tragically succumbed to his injuries.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed deep sorrow over Vihaan's death and immediately instructed officials to take preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future. He directed the establishment of a dedicated call centre or toll-free number for citizens to report incidents related to stray dogs, ensuring prompt action.
According to preliminary inquiries by Jawaharnagar police, Vihaan was playing outside his house when the stray dogs dragged him away. His parents, Bharat and Lakshmi, from Siddipet district, discovered his body with the help of local residents who had scared away the dogs.
The incident has sparked outrage among residents, who have long complained about the menace of stray dogs in Hyderabad and its suburbs. Despite previous complaints to civic authorities, residents feel little has been done to address the issue.
In response to the incident, protests erupted led by Vihaan's parents at the Jawaharnagar municipal office, demanding compensation and immediate action against the stray dog problem.
CM Revanth Reddy has further instructed officials to form an expert committee comprising veterinarians, representatives from voluntary organizations, and the Blue Cross to analyze factors contributing to stray dog aggression, particularly towards children. He also mandated the availability of necessary medicines for dog attack treatment across urban health centers and state hospitals.
Separately, in Huzurabad town, stray dogs attacked 25 people on Wednesday night, leaving one person critically injured and hospitalized in Warangal's MGM Hospital.
In another recent incident on Tuesday, a seven-year-old boy named Pendram Devender was rescued from a stray dog attack in Mangela village, Bheerpur mandal, Jagtial district, thanks to the intervention of a woman who drove away the dog.
These incidents highlight the pressing need for comprehensive measures to address the stray dog issue and ensure public safety across Telangana.