An 18-month-old boy mauled to death by pack of stray dogs in India's Hyderabad

An 18-month-old toddler was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs in India on Tuesday (Jul 16) night. The tragic incident happened in Adarsh Nagar of Jawahar Nagar in Hyderabad.

Social media users said that the incidents of dog bites have increased in the city, urging Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) should focus on controlling the dog menace.

Local police said that the incident occurred when the boy was playing outside his home.

One stray dog pounced on the toddler and dragged him away and then, other stray dogs also attacked the child. The dogs left the child with severe injuries.

News agency IANS reported that his parents, Bharat and Lakshmi, rushed out and chased away the stray dogs when they heard the boy's cries.

Jawahar Nagar police registered a case when the victim's family registered a complaint. The local police said that the boy reportedly followed his mother, who went to a nearby general store.

The police said, "He left the home shortly after his mother did and was initially attacked by one stray dog before he was dragged about 10-15 metres away. According to locals there were about 10 dogs involved in the attack which proved fatal for the boy."

They rushed their son to a hospital but as per reports, he had already succumbed. The police said, "He succumbed due to injuries on his head, limbs and torso at around 9.30 pm (local time)."

Chief Ministerof Telangana, Anumula Revanth Reddy has expressed grief over the incident and instructed officials to take immediate action against the menace of stray dogs. He asked them to establish a call centre or a toll-free number to receive complaints.

(With inputs from agencies)