Mumbai: Authorities in Ghatkopar have started searching for a wild fox that bit a man around midnight on Monday near Godrej, Vikhroli, and is suspected to be on the prowl in the vicinity. The victim, Rajesh Shukla, was bitten when he tried to prevent the fox from entering their locality. There are not many recorded instances of fox bites in Mumbai, and the police has alerted state and civic authorities to the situation.
Shukla was bitten at around 8.30 pm on Monday and a Vikhroli constable who witnessed the incident immediately called forest officials and admitted Shukla to the hospital.
Shukla said, “I work with Godrej as a watchman and the incident occurred in Godrej territory itself. At around 8.15pm, I was taking rounds as it is part of my job profile. I got a call from my wife and as there was no range, I walked towards Chedda Bridge to be able to answer her when I saw a wild animal which looked like a dog coming out.”
“I picked up a stone and threw it at the animal but it did not bark or anything. It ran towards me, jumped on me and even as I tried to grab its neck and overpower it, it bit me very severely and fled into the bushes. Some police constables who were there took me to the hospital. Later, the forest department and somepolice officials went searching in the bushes but found nothing. Some people have seen the animal in the last two days,” said Shukla.
DCP Sachin Patil said, “The incident occurred Monday night. Our police officials have already informed the forest department which has initiated necessary action.”
