Mysuru: A six-year-old-boy was mauled by stray dogs at K.G. Koppal, in city on Monday evening. The victim has been identified as Gaurav Skanda, studying at St Joseph’s School. The boy had been to his uncle’s house at K.G. Koppal as it was a closed holiday to his school on account of Kanakadasa Jayanti when the incident occurred.

According to the boy’s father L. Nagesh, his son was standing near the gate of the house along with other boys when a pack of dogs attacked him. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital at Kuvempunagar and was later treated at the Epidemic Diseases Hospital in Metagalli. He said that his son’s condition was stable and he has been given medication to prevent infection.

Nagesh said stray dog menace was posing a threat to the people at various localities including K.G. Koppal, Bannimantap, Mandi Mohalla and residential pockets of Vijayanagar. There have been many incidents of dogs attacking children and senior citizens and despite many complaints the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has failed to take necessary measures in this regard.

MCC Health Officer Dr. H. Ramachandra, however, said that they have not received any complaint in this regard. “Dogs are being sterilised regularly. As the lifespan of dogs is around 10 years, the menace will gradually reduce,” he said.

When it was brought to his notice that the leftovers from meat stalls and other roadside eateries attract the dogs, the Health Officer replied that MCC has been conducting drives to educate people to keep the surroundings clean.