Chained for 15 years, biting boy lands in mental hospital

Kolkata, Aug 22 (UNI) Chained by his family members for the last 15 years, Rahul Amin Dhali, who used to bite dogs and goats besides gnawing at the feet of relatives and neighbours, at last landed in the Pavlov mental hospital.

Pavlov hospital Superintendent Dr Umesh Bose told UNI today, ''We are treating him and he has been identified with severe mental retardation and behavioural disorder.'' ''We must give him time to settle down. We must remember that he had been chained for the last nine years. He is craving to go back home,'' Dr Bose said.

''He did not bite any of the co-members in the hospital. But he is tearing his clothes,'' he added.

Rahul was just six when he first bit a dog in Biramnagar village, in North 24 Parganas, 60 km from Kolkata. A few days later he bit his family members too.

''Initially we ignored the issue since he was just a child but it turned worse with every passing day,'' Rahul's father Rahman Dhali said.

Rahul later wandered off in the village and bit a goat grazing in a field before nibbling at the paws of the neighbour's pet dog,'' Rahman said.

The complaints increased, the Dhalis chained their son by the wrist to a tree in front of their house, where the boy has since been taught to read.

''Dhali had the habit of nibbling at his hands and feet when he failed to lure dogs and cats,'' Rahman said.

He said, ''Everyone was scared about Dhali because they thought he was a demon with evil powers.'' UNI JYN PL SB BS1104