Chakan, 16th March 2026: What initially triggered fears of rape and a brutal crime has taken a disturbing turn after police confirmed that a 32-year-old woman was fatally mauled by a pack of stray dogs in the industrial town of Chakan near Pune.
The victim, identified as Shobha Vijay Waghmare (32), was originally from Degloor in Nanded district and had been living in the Chakan area. Her partially unclothed and severely mutilated body was discovered by local residents on Tuesday morning near the PuneтАУNashik Highway, sparking speculation that she may have been sexually assaulted or murdered.
However, investigators later confirmed after reviewing CCTV footage that the woman had been attacked by a group of 10 to 12 stray dogs, which repeatedly bit her and caused fatal injuries.
According to police, the incident occurred around 2 am near Ambethan Chowk, close to a flyover along the service road of the PuneтАУNashik Highway. As Waghmare was walking through the area, a pack of stray dogs allegedly surrounded her and began attacking.
Officials said the animals encircled the woman, leaving her little opportunity to escape. She reportedly attempted to defend herself by picking up stones and trying to drive the dogs away, but the pack turned increasingly aggressive.
During the attack, the dogs bit her repeatedly on the hands, legs, face and neck, tearing her clothes and inflicting severe injuries. Investigators believe the assault continued for nearly 15 minutes, during which the animals allegedly tore chunks of flesh from her body. She ultimately succumbed to massive blood loss and trauma at the spot.
When local residents discovered the body the following morning, its semi-nude condition and extensive injuries initially raised fears of sexual assault or a violent crime. The incident caused panic in the locality and led to widespread speculation.
Police later examined CCTV cameras installed in the vicinity, which captured the sequence of the dog attack and confirmed that the woman died as a result of the mauling.
The shocking incident has intensified concerns among residents of Chakan about the rising stray dog menace in the area. Locals claim that dog attacks have become more frequent in recent months.
Some residents have speculated that the animals involved may not be typical stray dogs and could possibly be dogтАУwolf hybrids, though authorities have not confirmed such claims.
Citizens have demanded immediate intervention from civic authorities, pointing out that several dog-bite incidents have already been reported in the region. Last month, residents in the Market Yard area of Pune reported that a stray dog allegedly bit 25 to 30 people in a single stretch.
Following the fatal attack, residents have urged the civic administration to take urgent measures to control the stray dog population and ensure public safety to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The post Pune: Woman Mauled to Death by Pack of Stray Dogs in Chakan; CCTV Footage Rules Out Assault appeared first on Punekar News.
