This is the terrifying moment stray dogs attempted to kidnap a toddler who was wandering alone outside a home in India.

CCTV footage shows the young child walking without a guardian when a vicious canine suddenly lunges at him in Kota City, Rajasthan.

Moments later, two more aggressive pooches appear and join the attack, seemingly assisting the first in dragging away the helpless boy.

The trio of dogs can be seen mauling the child simultaneously, pulling him across the muddy ground.

Neighbours who were alerted by the boy's screams rushed out and managed to scare the animals away by throwing a large brick at them.

The distressed child was left lying face down on the ground before being rescued by a resident on June 24.

Reports said the toddler sustained serious to his back and face but survived the ordeal.

Stray dog attacks remain a growing concern in many parts of India, where an estimated 60 million canines roam both urban and rural areas.

The World Health Organisation estimates that India accounts for around 36 per cent of global rabies deaths, with most cases resulting from dog bites. Although rabies is preventable with timely treatment, access to vaccines and public awareness continue to pose a challenge in some regions.