Pune: A tragic incident unfolded at Chittaranjan Vatika in Pune’s Shivajinagar area, where a seven-year-old boy suffered severe facial injuries after being mauled by a stray dog. The child, Narendra Sher Bahadur Bista, was playing with friends in the municipal garden when the unprovoked attack occurred.
According to eyewitnesses, Narendra had innocently patted the stray dog’s head, unaware of the risk. In a sudden turn, the animal lunged at him, dragging him 15 to 20 feet before biting his face, resulting in a major injury to his cheek. His friends quickly intervened, managing to free him from the dog’s grip.
Narendra was immediately taken to Sassoon Hospital for emergency care. Due to the extent of the facial trauma, doctors recommended reconstructive surgery. His family reached out to social worker Ravindra Salegaonkar for help, who in turn contacted local MLA Siddharth Shirole. Shirole coordinated with administrators at a private hospital where a successful plastic surgery procedure was performed under a charitable scheme.
MLA Siddharth Shirole later shared the update on social media, expressing his admiration for the boy’s bravery. He detailed how his team facilitated quick medical attention, ensured the child received anti-rabies treatment, and coordinated the necessary surgery within a day of the attack. Shirole also visited Narendra post-surgery and thanked the hospital team for their prompt response and compassionate care.
In a show of community solidarity, local residents raised ₹25,000 to assist with the boy’s medical costs. Meanwhile, civic officials took disciplinary action against two security personnel responsible for maintaining safety in the garden at the time of the incident.
This disturbing event has reignited public concern over the growing stray dog population in urban parks and public spaces, underscoring the need for stronger municipal interventions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
