Abandoned newborn mauled by dogs at J&K maternity hospital

A newborn was mauled by dogs after he was abandoned by unknown people in the compound of the Government Lal Ded Maternity hospital here. The baby boy was abandoned on a chilly Wednesday night. Security guards spotted the baby after hearing his screams.

He was immediately rushed to the emergency where doctors who treated him said he had dog bites on his scalp. Hospital authorities have informed the police, who have started investigation.

"Our employees and security was quite alert and when they heard the cries, they rushed to the spot and rescued the baby. The baby was not born in the hospital. Somebody from outside abandoned him in the compound," said Dr Nazir Malik, Medical Superintendent of the hospital.

After treatment, doctors have said the injuries were not of a serious nature. "It seems he was delivered a day or before given the nature of his umbilical cord," said Dr Malik.

In fact, this is the third baby to have been abandoned in the hospital in the last 10 days. On January 14, a newborn girl was abandoned outside the labour room of the hospital. Three days later, another baby girl was abandoned on the ramp in the newly constructed hospital building.

"All the three babies were not born in the hospital. Somebody brought them from outside and abandoned them. In one case, CCTV caught the person who abandoned the baby outside the labour room. The footage is with the police," said Dr Malik.

Hospital authorities have taken all three babies in their care since the whereabouts of their parents are not traceable. "We are nursing all the three babies currently. There is a set procedure for adoption," said Dr Malik.