Two Young Siblings Mauled by Wild Dogs in Polewali Mandar, Rescuer Initially Mistook Children for Carcass

Two young siblings, Padli (9) and Alif (7), were attacked by a pack of wild dogs in Polewali Mandar Regency, West Sulawesi. A resident who came to their rescue initially believed the dogs were dragging a carcass.

The horrific incident occurred in Banua Baru Village, Wonomulyo Subdistrict, on Thursday 19 February at approximately 10:00 am local time. The two boys had been catching fish in an irrigation channel near rice paddies close to a residential area.

“The children went to catch fish in the rice paddy irrigation channel — that’s where they were bitten by the dogs,” said Banua Baru Village Head M Taufik on Thursday.

Taufik said the pack comprised six wild dogs. A farmer who happened to be passing by chased the animals away.

“A farmer happened to pass by and immediately drove the dogs off. Imagine — the person who helped them initially thought what was being mobbed and dragged about by the dogs was a carcass. It turned out to be small children,” he explained.

The wild dog attack left both siblings with severe injuries, requiring intensive hospital treatment. “The two siblings — it’s heartbreaking. Their wounds from the dog bites are quite serious. They have been taken to hospital,” Taufik said.