Feral dogs kill six children in north India

LUCKNOW: Roaming packs of feral dogs have killed six children in the last week in north India, terrifying villagers who have begun keeping their children at home and killing any dogs they encounter. At least two dozen more children have been injured in attacks.

The children, between the ages of five and 12 years old, have been killed in and around the town of Sitapur, about 80km from Lucknow, the capital of India’s Uttar Pradesh state, said senior police officer Anand Kulkarni.

Many of the attacks have occurred when children were out gathering mangoes or when they left their homes to use outhouse toilets, he said. Many homes in the area lack indoor plumbing.

A total of 12 children have been killed in dog attacks in the area since November, officials say.

It was not clear how many dogs were involved in the attacks, but India has millions of strays that wander the streets in even the most exclusive neighbourhoods.

The feral dogs often survive on leftover food set in alleys for them, but also face relentless cruelty by people, and regularly fight other dogs over territory.

While injuries from dog attacks are fairly common, a string of fatalities in one area is rare.

Some villagers believe the attacks began after a nearby illegal slaughterhouse was closed, making the dogs more aggressive after they were left without a major source of food. — AP