A tragic incident in Kalyan, located in Maharashtra’s Thane district, claimed the life of a seven-year-old boy after a stray dog attack, while another child sustained serious injuries. The episode has sparked widespread concern among residents, who are demanding urgent intervention to address the increasing threat posed by stray animals in the locality.
According to officials, the victim, Khushil Shankar Waghe, was playing near his home on Thursday afternoon when a stray dog suddenly attacked him. His screams alerted his seven-year-old friend, Nilesh Bagle, who rushed forward in an attempt to rescue him but was also bitten during the attack. Both children were quickly taken to a nearby hospital, where Khushil later died from his injuries while undergoing treatment. Nilesh remains under medical care at a hospital in Thane and is reported to be in stable condition.
The deceased child’s parents, who work as labourers in the city, have been left devastated by the loss. Local residents said stray dog numbers in the area have increased significantly in recent months, with repeated incidents creating anxiety among families, especially those with young children.
Following the tragedy, Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) corporator Tejashree Gaikwad and corporator Umesh Borgaonkar met officials of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation and pressed for immediate action. They demanded the deployment of special squads to capture aggressive stray dogs and called for intensified sterilisation and vaccination drives to control the population. Citizens have also urged civic authorities to implement long-term preventive measures to ensure public safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.
