World Para Athetics C'ship 2025: Dog attacks Japanese and Kenyan coaches

New Delhi: In a bizarre and alarming incident, a Japanese athlete and a Kenyan sprint coach were attacked by a stray dog during the morning session of the World Para Athletics Championships at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Friday.

According to sources close to the development, this marks the fifth such incident since the start of the Championships.

“Three dog bites in 30 minutes. A coach from Japan, a Kenyan Sprint Coach, and a security guard were attacked near the practice area. This is the fifth incident. Earlier, two Indians nationals were attacked by the dog, but the matter was buried,” a source told The Bridge on condition of anonymity.

“The incident happened in the morning. The victims were in the practice arena when the dog attacked,” the source added.

The victims were immediately rushed to the Safdarjung Hospital and appropriate treatment was administered.

Matsumoto shared his experience saying he was attended to immediately.

“This time, when I was bitten by a dog, the doctor immediately came, disinfected the wound, and transported me by car to the medical center,” he shared in a handwritten note.

“When going to the hospital, two volunteers stayed with me the whole time, which was very reassuring. The people from India were so kind that I was able to stay calm without anxiety. Thank you very much,” he added.

The Organising Committee of the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 later released a statement emphasizing its commitment to the safety, health, and security of athletes, officials, and spectators.

"On 21 August 2025, a formal request was made to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to safeguard the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium by removing stray dogs from the venue. Acting swiftly, the MCD cleared the premises well before the start of the Championships, and dog-catching vehicles have been stationed at the stadium from Day 1 to ensure constant vigilance and immediate response," the statement read.

Despite stringent precautionary measures to prevent the entry of stray animals, dogs entered the stadium premises.

In response, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has strengthened its deployment with two dedicated dog-catching teams stationed permanently within the stadium premises.

These teams are supported by vehicles for the rapid removal and transfer of stray animals to shelter homes. Authorities have emphasized that all captured animals are being relocated in accordance with strict animal welfare standards, ensuring safety while maintaining humane treatment.