Shimla, Sep 21 (PTI) A one-and-a-half-year-old girl was seriously injured after two stray dogs allegedly attacked and dragged her in Shimla, officials said on Monday.
The incident triggered strong criticism of the Shimla Municipal Corporation, with residents alleging that the administration filed to address the stray dog issue, despite repeated complaints.
According to the girl’s father, Ramandeep, the incident occurred on Sunday evening when his daughter was playing in the courtyard of their house in the Shankli area.
He said when the toddler moved towards the entrance gate, two stray dogs passing through the area attacked her, bit her and dragged her for nearly 20 to 30 metres.
He said that the dogs attempted to drag the girl towards a nearby forest area. However, her screams alerted neighbours, who rushed to the spot and drove the animals away by throwing stones and rescued the girl.
The toddler sustained multiple injuries to her face, back, legs, and other parts of her body.
She was rushed to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), where she is undergoing treatment, Ramandeep said.
The incident sparked anger among residents, who have accused the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) of failing to take effective measures to address the growing stray dog menace despite repeated demands.
Lambasting the corporation, residents have demanded it to take immediate steps to control the population of aggressive stray dogs and demanded that the corporation bear the medical expenses of the injured child and provide compensation to her family.
They have also called for aggressive and dangerous dogs to be captured and relocated to safer shelters.
Responding to the incident, Shimla Municipal Corporation Mayor Suninder Chauhan assured the residents that aggressive stray dogs would be shifted to huts and that the corporation would take concrete steps to address this issue.
Residents have also demanded stern action against people who feed stray animals in public places and contribute to the formation of dog packs in residential areas.
Jagmohan Thakur, president of Shimla Nagrik Sabha, said they had warned the corporation about the rising stray dog menace on September 14 and urged it to take concrete measures, but alleged that no effective action was taken. Thakur said the corporation had for years claimed to have undertaken sterilisation of stray dogs and monkeys, but their numbers appeared to be increasing.
“Many dogs have become aggressive, posing a serious threat to public safety,” he added.
Thakur also urged the corporation to formulate a comprehensive plan in coordination with other concerned departments for the safe removal of stray dogs, monkeys and langurs from residential areas. PTI COR KSI KSI
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