Pune: A brutal attack by stray dogs has left a five-year-old boy critically injured in the Chandrangan Phase 5 area of Ambegaon Pathar. The boy, identified as Samarth Sachin Suryavanshi, was attacked by a pack of five to six stray dogs while playing in the premises of his housing society.

The attack resulted in deep wounds on Samarth's head and face. He is currently receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a private hospital. This is the third such attack reported in the Ambegaon Budruk area in the past week.

Earlier, a young girl, Aradhya Abhay Chavan, was injured in Dalvinagar after a stray dog attacked her. The following day, another child was bitten by stray dogs in the same locality.

Residents have expressed their frustration and anger at the municipal authorities, accusing them of neglecting the issue of the rapidly increasing stray dog population. They have demanded urgent measures, including effective sterilization and control programs, to curb these incidents.

"Despite repeated complaints, the administration has failed to take adequate action. The growing menace of stray dogs has become life-threatening for the residents," said Anil Kondhre, Deputy Sarpanch of Ambegaon Budruk. "Even seeing a pack of stray dogs fills us with dread," he added.

Local residents have urged the administration to take immediate and effective steps to manage the stray dog population. They are also demanding strict action to ensure that sterilization and control programs are implemented effectively.