Fox Attack Injures Toddler in Kolhapur Village, Sparks Fear Among Locals
A 14-month-old toddler was severely injured in a fox attack while sleeping beside his father outside their hut in Adkur village of Chandgad tehsil, Kolhapur, on Monday night. The incident has triggered significant fear among local residents, especially given similar attacks reported in nearby villages last summer.
Details of the Attack and Immediate Response
The child, belonging to the Banjara community settlement along the Chandgad–Gadhinglaj road, was attacked by a dog-like animal identified as a fox. Arun Chavan, a native of Vijayapura district, Karnataka, spotted the animal attacking his son's face and drove it away with a stick as neighbors rushed to help, forcing the fox to flee.
The toddler sustained severe injuries to his face and eyes and was first taken to a primary health centre in Gadhinglaj before being shifted to CPR Hospital in Kolhapur for advanced treatment. Forest and local officials visited the site promptly to conduct a panchnama, confirming various signs pointing to a fox attack.
Forest Officials Confirm Attack Through Investigation
Chandgad forest range officials, led by forest ranger A B Pawaskar, carried out a detailed investigation. Pawaskar stated, "The panchnama of the spot where the incident took place has been carried out, and we have found pugmarks of the fox. The style of the attack also suggests the attack to be of a fox only."
In an effort to locate the animal, officials used a drone for a search; however, the trail was lost, adding to the community's concerns about potential future incidents.
Heightened Concerns in the Area
This attack has heightened concern in the region, as similar fox attacks were reported last summer in nearby villages. The recurrence of such incidents underscores the need for increased vigilance and preventive measures by forest authorities and local residents to ensure safety in rural settlements.
