A seven-year-old boy, Khushil Shankar Waghe, was killed and his friend seriously injured after a stray dog attacked them while they were playing outside their homes in Kalyan, Thane district on February 27, 2026, according to India Today.
Officials said Khushil and his friend, Nilesh Bagle, both aged seven, were playing near their residence when a stray dog suddenly attacked. Hearing screams, Nilesh rushed to help but was also bitten. The children were taken to a hospital in Thane. Khushil succumbed to his injuries during treatment, while Nilesh is reported to be in stable condition.
Following the incident, local residents and leaders raised concerns about the growing number of stray dogs in the area and urged the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) to take immediate measures such as deploying special squads to capture stray dogs, and intensifying sterilisation and vaccination efforts.
Dog bite and stray dog attack incidents have been rising across various Indian cities in recent years.
Reports show that millions of dog bite cases are recorded annually in India, with children and elderly among the most affected groups.
In some regions like Nagpur, dog bite cases in 2025 increased compared to previous years, reaching a four-year high.
Stray dog attacks not only cause severe injuries but also carry a risk of rabies, a viral infection transmitted through the saliva of infected animals that can be fatal if not treated promptly with post-exposure prophylaxis.
In response to rising dog bite incidents, the Supreme Court of India has engaged with the issue:
In 2025, the Supreme Court issued directives for authorities in Delhi-NCR to build dog shelters, capture stray dogs, and implement sterilisation and immunisation programs. The order emphasised public safety and the need to curb dog bite incidents, particularly affecting children.
Subsequent orders clarified implementation strategies, including returning sterilised and vaccinated stray dogs to designated localities, while keeping rabid or aggressive dogs in shelters.
From a medical perspective, dog bites can lead to:
Local injuries and fractures
Infections, including cellulitis and abscesses
Rabies, a fatal viral infection if not treated promptly with vaccines and immunoglobulin
Psychological trauma, especially in children
Prompt first aid and medical evaluation are critical after any animal bite. Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) includes wound care, vaccination, and in some cases rabies immunoglobulin, which effectively prevents the disease when administered correctly.
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