Hyderabad: At least 20 people sustained injuries in a stray dog attack that triggered panic in Masaipet mandal headquarters of Medak district on Monday night. The victims included children, women, and young men, with several cases reported as serious.
According to locals, the incident began when a stray dog suddenly entered the village and started biting residents. As more dogs joined in, chaos erupted in the area. Emergency services responded swiftly, and 108 vehicles transported the injured to Toopran Area Hospital.
Medak stray dog attack prompts official action and vaccination drive
Doctors referred four victims in serious condition to Medak Area Hospital for further treatment. In one case, a boy with severe injuries was being shifted to Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad for specialised care.
Soon after the incident, Medak District Collector Rahul Raj directed officials to act without delay. He dispatched dog-catching teams to Masaipet, and municipal staff began rounding up strays early Tuesday morning.
Officials said the case underscored a wider issue the rising stray dog population in rural areas. Villagers reported that similar attacks had occurred in the past, with children and older adults particularly vulnerable.
Hospital authorities confirmed that all victims were receiving anti-rabies treatment. Many were still undergoing medical care in Toopran as of Tuesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, residents urged the district administration to introduce long-term solutions. They called for regular dog-catching operations and sterilisation programmes to prevent future incidents and ensure safety for all age groups.
