No more Praveen-like deaths in future: victim's mother

Even as she struggled to recover from the death of her son Praveen — shredded by a pack of ferocious stray dogs — his mother Muragamma said she would not like to see another child harmed in the same manner.

Praveen (11) was attacked by 10 street dogs near Vibhutipura lake on Wednesday and the boy died of the terrible mauling on Saturday.

"I wasn't at home when it happened," she said. "My son was playing near Vibhutipura lake, closer home. There were two other boys with him, including my older son. A pack of stray dogs suddenly attacked Praveen. While the others managed to escape, he was caught."

Muragamma also said the locals rushed the bleeding boy to the government hospital at Vibhutipura, but he could not be treated there. He was then shifted to Manipal Hospital with the help of BBMP officials.

Others said Praveen was mauled by the dogs as he went to ease himself near the lake.

"Being the youngest, he was the most pampered," said one of Praveen's aunts. "His parents expected to find him at home after school, but he was at the hospital fighting for his life." Praveen's last rites were performed at the Shantinagar crematorium.

Lake to be fenced

Praveen's parents joined the Vibhutipura residents to blame the stray dog menace on the unscientific disposal of meat by residents and commercial establishments. They said the BBMP did not address the garbage menace, despite repeated requests. Garbage clearance has been irregular in the area, the residents said.

But Mayor Sampath Raj vowed to fence the Vibhutipura lake in the aftermath of the incident. "Dogs throng there because of the meat waste discarded there. The illegal dumping of garbage should be stopped at least now to end Praveen-like deaths," said Vijay Kumar, a resident of Vibhutipura.

Guidelines The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) offers guidelines to prevent dog bites, including avoiding unfamiliar/stray dogs, especially when they are eating. Children, in general, should always be supervised by adults and must move around in familiar and safe environments, said Anoop Amarnath, chief of medical services, Manipal Hospital.