Tragic Death of Pune Woman in Stray Dog Attack on Highway Service Road
A 32-year-old woman was brutally mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs in the early hours of Monday in Chakan, Pune. The victim, identified as Shobha Waghmare from Deglur in Nanded district, was returning home from work around 2 am when the horrific incident occurred.
Discovery of the Body and Initial Investigation
Passersby discovered Waghmare's body on the service road of the Pune–Nashik highway, near Ambethan Chowk, in the morning. Her clothes were torn, and the body bore multiple injury marks, leading residents to initially suspect foul play and alert the Chakan police.
Senior Inspector Jitendra Kadam of the Chakan police stated, "When we examined the injuries on the woman's body, we initially considered the possibility of an animal attack. However, it was the CCTV footage from a nearby shop that confirmed our suspicions."
CCTV Footage Reveals Harrowing Attack
The surveillance video captured the terrifying moment when six stray dogs surrounded Waghmare as she walked along the service road near the flyover. Despite picking up stones to fend them off, the dogs aggressively pounced on her, biting her hands, legs, face, and neck.
Inspector Kadam detailed the struggle, saying, "The woman valiantly resisted the dogs for approximately 15 minutes, but unfortunately, she could not survive the severe injuries and excessive bleeding."
Identification and Family Background
The police found Waghmare's purse near her body, which contained her Aadhaar card, enabling them to identify her and notify her relatives in Nashik. Her nephew, Prajjwal Kamble, arrived at Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital (YCMCH) in Pimpri after being contacted by the Pimpri Chinchwad police.
Kamble revealed that Waghmare was estranged from her husband and lived in Deglur with her 13-year-old physically challenged son. "She was deeply concerned about her son's education and future, which motivated her to move to Chakan two months ago in search of better employment opportunities," he explained.
Work Details and Post-Mortem Findings
Waghmare had been working odd jobs at a private company in the MIDC area and also took night shifts at a hospital. It remains unclear whether she was returning from the hospital or the company at the time of the attack.
The post-mortem report from YCMCH confirmed that her death resulted from the animal attack. Consequently, the police have registered a case of accidental death.
Broader Implications and Safety Concerns
This tragic incident highlights the growing issue of stray dog attacks in urban and semi-urban areas, raising serious questions about public safety and animal control measures. The local community in Chakan has expressed shock and concern, urging authorities to take immediate action to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Inspector Kadam emphasized the need for vigilance, particularly during late-night hours, and advised residents to avoid isolated areas where stray animals may congregate. The investigation continues as authorities assess the circumstances surrounding the attack and explore measures to enhance safety on the Pune–Nashik highway service road.
