INDIA
Kalyan Dog Attack: KDMC Issues Show-Cause Notice to Doctor Over Claim of 130 Bites
The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has issued a show-cause notice to Dr. Sandeep Pagare, a senior medical officer at Rukminibai Hospital in Kalyan, for providing unverified and misleading figures to the media regarding a stray dog bite incident.
The stray dog was caught by KDMC officials (Photo Credits: X/@imvivekgupta)
The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has issued a show-cause notice to Dr. Sandeep Pagare, a senior medical officer at Rukminibai Hospital in Kalyan, for providing unverified and misleading figures to the media regarding a stray dog bite incident. Dr. Pagare has been directed by Medical Health Officer Dr. Deepa Shukla to explain his actions within 24 hours, failing which disciplinary action will be initiated against him.
Unverified Claims Trigger Widespread Panic
The controversy stems from an incident on Sunday afternoon in the Khadakpada area of Kalyan West near Sandeep Hotel, where a stray dog went on a biting spree. Official hospital records show that 58 patients were treated for dog bites at the civic-run Rukminibai Hospital throughout the day, reported Loksatta.
However, Dr. Pagare informed media outlets on Sunday night that 110 to 130 people had been bitten and admitted to the hospital. He further claimed that an 11-year-old girl was critically injured and transferred to Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital in Sion, Mumbai. The exaggerated figures were quickly amplified across TV news channels and social media platforms, creating widespread fear among residents and drawing sharp public criticism toward the civic administration. Thane Shocker: Bank Employee Dies by Suicide Over Fear of Rabies Infection Days After Being Attacked by Stray Dog in Kalyan.
Violation of Media Protocols
According to civic administration guidelines, official information or statements to news outlets must be routed through the relevant department head, the municipal commissioner, or the public relations office.
Kalyan Dog Attack
मुंबई से सटे कल्याण में एक आवारा कुत्ते का खौफ..
7 घंटों में 130 लोगो को काटा..
कल्याण के कड़कपाड़ा इलाके के एक किलोमीटर में ही कुत्ते में 7 घंटे में 130 लोगो को काटा..
प्रशासन और लोकल लोगों ने कुत्ते को देर रात पकड़ा..
पूरे इलाके में लोग डरे हुए है. pic.twitter.com/P0N8TRRzJ4
— Vivek Gupta (@imvivekgupta) August 10, 2026
By speaking directly to the press without verifying the data and bypassing both the Public Relations Department and Medical Health Officer Dr. Deepa Shukla, Dr. Pagare violated official protocol, causing significant embarrassment to the municipal body. Dog Bite Incident in Thane: Minor Boy Dies Weeks After Being Bitten by Stray Dog in Bhiwandi; Hospital Says Victim Received Anti-Rabies Shots As Local MLA Alleges Negligence.
Administrative Shift and Historical Context
Sources within the health department noted that initial discussions within the administration leaned toward issuing a notice to a contractual nurse to take responsibility for the miscommunication - a practice previously observed where contract staff faced repercussions for lapses involving permanent senior personnel. However, Dr. Shukla stepped in to hold the senior officer directly accountable by serving him the notice.
Administrative officials further disclosed that Dr. Pagare has faced multiple complaints regarding official lapses over the past two years, though previous incidents were handled internally without formal disciplinary measures.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 12, 2026 04:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
