Raichur/Bagalkot/Udipi, 26 Jan

Stray dog attacks across three districts in the State injured at least 26 people, many of them children, on Sunday, triggering panic and demands for urgent control measures by civic authorities.

In the Maski town of the Raichur district, stray dogs attacked 10 people in Pinjar Oni and Somanath Nagar, chasing pedestrians and motorcyclists and biting victims on hands and legs. The injured included eight children and two elderly residents.

All were admitted to the Maski Community Health Centre, with four severe cases referred to Sindhanur Taluk Hospital. Doctors administered anti-rabies vaccines and said all patients were out of danger.

Raichur Deputy Commissioner Nitish K told Salar News that the injured received immediate treatment and that dogs would be shifted to designated shelters after sterilisation and vaccination, in line with a Supreme Court order of November 2025.

District Health and Family Welfare Officer Surendra Babu confirmed the cases and said the town panchayat had been asked to control the stray population. Maski MLA Basanagouda Turvihal said he visited the victims, assured government support and directed coordinated action by municipal, veterinary and health departments.

In Bagalkot, eight devotees, including children, were bitten by stray dogs while returning from a religious discourse. DHO Dr Manjunath DN said the injured suffered bites and were hospitalised.

Another eight were injured in Neramballi, Udupi district; one elderly victim is critical.