Dogs kill six children and leave dozens hurt

of feral dogs have killed six children in the past week in northern India, according to police.

The children, aged between five and 12, were killed in and around Sitapur, about 50 miles from Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh state.

At least two dozen more youngsters have been injured in attacks, which have terrified villagers who have begun keeping their children at home and killing dogs they encounter.

Senior police officer Anand Kulkarni said many of the attacks occurred when children were out gathering mangoes or using outside toilets.

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

It was not clear how many dogs were involved in the attacks, but India has millions of strays that wander the streets. The feral dogs often survive on leftover food set in alleys for them, but also face relentless cruelty from people, and regularly fight other dogs over territory.

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.

Education officials say some schools have seen a significant drop in attendance because of the attacks. Parents have been told to accompany their children to and from school.

The recent deaths included three children killed by a pack of strays on May 1, Mr Kulkarni said. Two more children were killed on May 4.

On Friday, a seven-yearold girl named Gita had gone with two other children to pick mangoes when a pack of dogs attacked them, police said. Two children escaped but Gita was surrounded by the dogs. Villagers who ran to help, but she had died by the time they reached her.