PURI: A five-year-old boy died on the spot after being mauled by stray dogs here on Thursday. According to sources, the boy, Satyaban, was playing in the backyard of his house when some stray dogs attacked him and dragged him to a nearby bush and severed his body. The canines were feasting on his skull and belly when some neighbours spotted the child and rushed him to Puri Headquarters Hospital where the doctor declared him brought dead.
Son of Hrudanada Rout, a daily wager from Phulabadi village under Athagarh police limits, the family lives in Jagannath Colony of Matiapada under Kumbharpada police limits. During the incident, Hrudananda was away at work and his wife was busy cooking, unaware of the tragedy.
Kumbharpada police registered a case and sent the body for post-mortem. Locals alleged that stray dogs, bovine and monkeys have been spreading panic in the town for the last 40 years and their numbers have only increased. No steps have been taken to check their population. Residents demanded that the civic body should take measures to check the menace and provide financial assistance to the labourer.