Stray Dog Mauls Elderly Man, 14th Victim in Ongoing Crisis

A stray dog terrorizing the CIDCO township in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, has struck again, with an elderly man becoming its 14th victim in a brutal attack captured on CCTV. The incident, which occurred on Sunday evening, has intensified local fears and reignited a national debate over stray dog management.

The chilling footage shows the elderly man walking through an alley when the dog, approaching from the opposite direction, suddenly lunges at his face. The victim collapses under the assault, sustaining severe injuries to his face and hands before bystanders intervene to drive the animal away. Bloodstains and the man’s wounds were visible in a second video, highlighting the attack’s ferocity. The victim is now receiving treatment at a local hospital, with residents reporting he is in stable but critical condition.

Local authorities, including the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC), have been unable to capture the dog, which residents claim has attacked 14 people in recent weeks. “This dog has become a menace. We’re scared to step out, especially in the evenings,” said a CIDCO resident, who requested anonymity. The CSMC has deployed teams to locate the animal, but efforts have so far been unsuccessful, raising questions about the civic body’s preparedness.

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The attack comes amid a broader national controversy over stray dog populations, fueled by a Supreme Court order directing Delhi NCR authorities to relocate strays to shelters. The ruling, prompted by rising dog bite incidents, has sparked protests from animal rights activists who argue it’s inhumane, while others, citing attacks like the one in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, support stricter measures.

Posts on X reflect public frustration, with users sharing videos of similar incidents and demanding action. India reported 3.7 million dog bite cases and 54 rabies deaths in 2024, underscoring the public health crisis, particularly for vulnerable groups like the elderly and children.

Maharashtra alone has seen multiple high-profile stray dog incidents, including a January 2025 case in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar where a pitbull attacked a stray dog, prompting an FIR against its owner. The state’s stray dog population, among the highest in India, continues to challenge civic authorities, with sterilization and vaccination programs lagging.

As the CSMC intensifies its search, residents are urging immediate action, including better street lighting and stray dog control measures. The incident has amplified calls for a balanced approach to animal welfare and public safety, with no easy solution in sight.

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