MP Shocker! Mom Fights Off Leopard To Save 9-Year-Old Boy In Gwalior

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A nine-year-old child was attacked by a leopard while playing in his house courtyard in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior district on Wednesday.His mother, seeing the child in trouble, bravely fought the wild cat to rescue her son from its grip.

The child was immediately taken to Vijaypur Hospital and later shifted to Gwalior’s Super Speciality Hospital due to severe injuries. Surgeons operated for two and a half hours, stitching 120 stitches. His condition is stable, and he is under 48-hour observation.

According to information, the child has been identified as 9-year-old Avinash Dhakkad, a resident of Umrikala village of Vijaypur. Sources say that the boy was playing near the boundary wall of his house when the wild animal suddenly pounced on him, sinking its teeth into his face and neck. Hearing his screams, his mother, Suraksha Dhakad, rushed to the scene and engaged in a desperate struggle with the predator for nearly seven minutes. She pulled her son with all her strength, ultimately prising him from the leopard’s jaws. However, the attack left Avinash with 14 deep wounds on his face and head.

The injured child was rushed to Vijaypur Hospital and later referred to Gwalior’s Super Speciality Hospital due to the severity of his injuries. A team of surgeons performed a two-and-a-half-hour-long operation, stitching 120 sutures to close the deep wounds. Doctors are keeping him under 48-hour observation, as leopard bites pose a high risk of infection.

Confusion over the type of feline

While Avinash’s mother insists that a cheetah attacked her son, pointing out its distinct facial markings and flexible body, the forest department has denied this claim. Officials clarified that the attacking animal was a leopard, as cheetahs do not exhibit such aggressive behaviour. The village, located just seven kilometres from Kuno National Park, remains on high alert, with villagers fearing further attacks.