Korba, Chhattisgarh : A five-year-old boy tragically lost his life after being attacked by a pack of stray dogs in Dadarkhurd, near Korba city in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh. The heartbreaking incident has sparked widespread public outrage, with local residents demanding urgent measures to control the growing stray dog population.
According to family members, the victim, Prakash Patel, was returning home alone on Thursday evening after spending the day with his parents, who work as daily wage laborers. He had been sent home to get ready for the local Jagannath Rath Yatra celebrations when the attack occurred.
Attack Occurred While the Child Was Walking Home
Prakash’s father, Kishore Patel, said the family’s home was located only a short distance from their worksite. While walking home, the child was allegedly surrounded by a pack of stray dogs, which attacked him before anyone could intervene.
Hearing the dogs barking and the child’s cries for help, his father rushed to the scene and, with assistance from nearby residents, managed to rescue the boy from the animals. He was immediately taken to the Korba Medical College Hospital for emergency treatment.
Despite doctors’ efforts, the child succumbed to his injuries.
Hospital sources said the boy suffered multiple severe bite wounds, including injuries to his face, hands, and other parts of his body, resulting in extensive blood loss.
Prakash was a first-grade student and is survived by his parents, one brother, and one sister.
Community Outrage Grows
The tragic death has triggered anger and grief throughout Dadarkhurd and neighboring areas. Residents say the number of stray dogs has increased significantly in recent years and that children are frequently at risk while playing or walking through residential neighborhoods.
Many locals have urged municipal authorities to implement effective stray dog control measures, including population management and public safety initiatives, to prevent similar tragedies.
Hospital Reports Rising Dog Bite Cases
Speaking about the growing concern, Dr. Gopal Singh Kanwar, Medical Superintendent of Korba Medical College Hospital, said the hospital is witnessing a steady increase in dog bite cases.
According to the hospital, approximately 20 new dog bite patients seek treatment every day, while healthcare workers administer around 50 anti-rabies vaccine injections daily, as each patient requires multiple doses following exposure.
Medical officials noted that dog bite cases are particularly common in urban and semi-urban areas surrounding Korba.
Questions Raised Over Stray Dog Control Program
The incident has also renewed criticism of the municipal corporation’s dog sterilization program, which was introduced to reduce the stray dog population. Despite significant public spending on sterilization campaigns, residents claim that large packs of stray dogs continue to roam neighborhoods, posing an ongoing threat to public safety.
Local residents have called on civic authorities to strengthen animal population management, improve monitoring, and implement long-term measures to reduce the risk of future attacks.
The tragic death of the young child has intensified demands for immediate administrative action to ensure the safety of children and residents across the region.
