Bhubaneswar: A one-year-old child sustained critical injuries after being attacked by a stray dog in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district on Sunday.

The incident took place at Chaunria Sahi under Kosagumuda block of Nabarangpur. The victim belongs to the family of Raju Dalei.

 As for reports, the child was sleeping inside their house around noon when a stray dog entered the premises and attacked it. The dog reportedly bit the infant on the face, cheek and around the eyes, leaving it with severe injuries.

Hearing the child's cries, Dalei's sister, Rekha, rushed to rescue it and tried to drive the dog away. However, the animal also attacked her. Neighbours soon gathered at the spot, following which the dog fled.

The child was rushed to a hospital at Kodinga in a critical condition. After primary treatment, it was shifted to the Nabarangpur District Headquarters Hospital (DHH).

The child was subsequently referred to Koraput Medical College and Hospital for further treatment, reports said.

The incident has caused concern among local residents over the presence of stray dogs in the area.