Seven-year-old mauled to death by stray dogs

New Delhi, Aug 4 In a shocking incident, a seven-year-old boy was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs in the national capital on Tuesday morning, police said.

Mamun, a Class 2 student, was attacked and brutally shred into pieces by the dogs in Jamia Nagar area of south Delhi around 11 a.m.

Police said the child had gone to play at a nearby hilly area when the group of 4-5 stray dogs attacked him.

"The dogs brutally tore the child. When a neighbour saw and tried to save him, the dogs attacked him as well. He raised an alarm and other people managed to free the child from the clutches of the dogs," said a police official.

The child was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead.

Mamun stayed in the Jamia Nagar slums along with his parents and four siblings. The family hailed from Araria in Bihar.

The hilly area where the incident took place is very deserted, and several stray dogs roam around there.

Neighbours said the dogs usually mauled chickens and had earlier bit several people in the locality before they attacked Mamun.

Jamia resident Jahangir said he was injured in his hand when 5-6 dogs attacked him earlier this month.

"There is a major problem of stray dogs in the locality. Despite many complaints to the municipal authorities, they do not enter the area. They only take away stray dogs from the main road," said Mohd. Maqsood, who runs a shop in the neighbourhood.

Maqsood was also bitten by stray dogs three times in the past five months.

Okhla legislator Amanatullah Khan blamed the district magistrate for not taking cognizance over the issue.

"I have complained to the district magistrate several times about the stray dog issue. But the official did not take any action. Around 30-50 groups of dogs roam in the area and attack people," Amanatullah said, assuring that he would raise the issue again with the concerned authorities.