300 people, drones join search for Surat toddler who was ‘dragged away’ by stray dog

Suddenly, a stray dog turned up and caught Maya in its jaws and ran away, Teeta said in her police complaint. She said though she tried to run after the dog to save her daughter, and that other labourers also joined her in the search, she could not find her.

After being alerted by the labourers, police officials, along with a dog squad and residents, joined the search operation that lasted throughout the night but to no avail. Police said a blood-stained garment, allegedly belonging to the girl, was recovered.

On Wednesday morning, the fire department and the forest department also joined the search operation. But till the evening, neither the dog nor the girl could be found.

Kamrej police inspector A D Chavda said, “Ajubhai, Teetaben and Maya had come to Surat from Madhya Pradesh in search of a living six days ago. They were working at an under-construction site in Vav village and were staying in a tent near the site with other labourers. On Tuesday morning, Anjubhai left for his native place to attend to some important work.”

Police said though Anjubhai was supposed to return on Thursday or Friday, he has left for Surat already after learning about the incident.