Six schoolchildren were mauled by rabid stray dogs while they played during their lunch break.

The youngsters, aged between seven and eight, screamed when they strays pounced on them in Chonburi, eastern Thailand, on Tuesday, October 6.

They suffered bite wounds across their arms and legs. One lad was bitten in the right eye.

Panicked teachers immediately called paramedics who rushed the children to Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital to treat the wounds and receive anti-rabies shot.

Animal rescuers were also called to catch the rabid dogs, but they immediately fled to a nearby village where they also attacked three residents. All of the injured villagers were also taken to the hospital.

Speaking after, one of the students Thananan, said they were walking to the canteen when the dogs appeared.

He said: "We were buying food at the school canteen when the dogs attacked us. We did no provoke the dogs but they were angry when they saw us."

Sopha Lhaoped, who lives in the area, said the dogs were known for being aggressive but this was the first time that they had attacked children.

She said: "The dogs always scavenge for food here, and they are aggressive. They have bitten almost a dozen of my neighbours and disappear into their hiding place."

The dogs were later caught by rescuers from the Public Health and Environment Officers after almost two hours hiding inside the toilet of a local shop.

They fired darts with tranquilisers to immobilize the ferocious dogs before they were taken to a nearby animal shelter where they will be tested for rabies virus. The result will come out after 15 days.

One of the rescuers said: "We need to find out whether the dogs are infected with rabies. We will also remain in the area to catch more strays."

Meanwhile, the school principal Lumyai Arkajun appealed to the authorities to help them fix the problem of stray animals in the area for the safety of their students.

He said: "They need to do something about the animals so this will not happen again in the future."