14-month-old boy injured in fox attack in Kolhapur dist

Kolhapur: A 14-month-old toddler sleeping beside his father outside their hut in Adkur village of Chandgad tehsil was injured in a fox attack on Monday night, triggering fear among local residents. The child belongs to a Banjara community settlement along the Chandgad–Gadhinglaj road.Arun Chavan, a native of Vijayapura district, Karnataka, said he spotted a dog-like animal attacking his son's face. He drove it away with a stick as neighbours rushed to help, forcing the fox to flee. The toddler, who sustained severe injuries to his face and eyes, was first taken to a primary health centre in Gadhinglaj and later shifted to CPR Hospital in Kolhapur for treatment.Forest and local officials visited the site and conducted a panchnama. Chandgad forest range officials confirmed various signs pointing to a fox attack.Forest ranger A B Pawaskar said, "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. A drone was used to search for the animal; however, its trail was lost."The incident has heightened concern in the area, especially after similar fox attacks were reported last summer in nearby villages.