CM responds after mute child mauled by stray dogs in Hyderabad

A seven-year-old mute boy named Premchand was brutally injured after a pack of stray dogs attacked him outside his home in Shivanaga Colony, Hayathnagar. According to locals, nearly 10 to 20 dogs suddenly pounced on the child while he was playing, leaving him with severe wounds on his head, back and waist. In the horrifying attack, one of his ears was completely torn off.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who was in Delhi on official work, reacted immediately after reading news reports about the incident. Deeply disturbed by what had happened, he instructed officials to ensure that the boy receives the best possible medical treatment without any delay. With doctors reporting that the child’s condition is critical, the Chief Minister asked the CMO to take swift action and to closely monitor the treatment being provided. He also directed senior officials and the local commissioner to visit the hospital, meet the family, reassure them, and provide all necessary government support.

The Chief Minister further emphasised that the response should not end with helping the victim’s family. He urged authorities to take urgent preventive steps so that such incidents do not happen again. Officials were instructed to implement strong measures to control the stray dog population and improve public safety at the earliest.

Stray dog attacks have become a persistent problem in many parts of Telangana, not just in Hayathnagar. For several years, towns, municipalities and residential colonies across the state have been reporting an increase in dog populations, packs roaming around at night and growing threats to children and the elderly. These repeated incidents have raised serious concerns among citizens.

Several factors are believed to be contributing to the rise in stray dogs. Unmanaged garbage provides easy access to food, while dumping yards located close to residential areas attract more animals. Sterilisation surgeries are progressing slowly, vaccination coverage is inconsistent and newly developed colonies often lack adequate municipal resources. As a result, the stray dog issue has spread from Hyderabad’s urban zones to smaller towns and districts across the state.

Government records submitted to the High Court and Supreme Court indicate the seriousness of the situation. About 24,000 dog-bite cases were recorded in 2021, and this number jumped to over 80,000 in 2022. Between 2022 and 2024, Telangana registered around 3,33,935 dog-bite cases, and during these three years, 36 people died due to complications arising from dog bites. Media reports suggest that in 2025, the state is witnessing nearly 300 dog-bite cases each day, highlighting the growing urgency.

The Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, which is meant to control stray dog numbers through sterilisation, has faced criticism for being poorly implemented. With attacks continuing to rise, public frustration has grown. The latest incident involving young Premchand has renewed calls for stronger and more effective action. With the Chief Minister personally intervening, citizens now hope that the government will take comprehensive measures to address the escalating stray dog menace across Telangana.