A 20-month-old girl was seriously injured after two stray dogs attacked her and dragged her for nearly 25 metres in the Shankli area of Shimla on Sunday evening.
Child rescued after neighbours hear screams
The toddler was playing in the courtyard of her home when she moved towards the entrance gate. Two dogs reportedly attacked her, bit her and dragged her towards a nearby jungle.
Her screams alerted neighbours, who rushed to the spot and drove the dogs away by pelting stones. The child was rescued and taken to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), where she is undergoing treatment for injuries to her face, back and legs.
The incident has caused concern among residents, who have raised questions about measures to address stray dog attacks in residential areas. Residents have demanded that the authorities ensure the safety of children and take action against dogs considered aggressive.
Shimla Nagrik Sabha president Jagmohan Thakur said the forum had warned the Shimla Municipal Corporation about the issue on September 14. He also questioned the effectiveness of existing sterilisation measures, according to The Tribune.
The Shimla Municipal Corporation has an Animal Birth Control-Anti Rabies programme under which stray dogs are sterilised and vaccinated. Its official information says the programme is intended to address the stray dog population through a scientific and humane approach.
The incident has renewed calls for measures that address both public safety and responsible management of stray animals.