On Friday afternoon, a stray dog came out of nowhere and went after people in the slum area near Rosevilla Housing Society, injuring 11 individuals in total. Among the injured were a five-year-old child and a thirty-year-old woman with deep cuts.
The incident unfolded when children were playing , unaware of the impending danger. Sachin, a young boy, suffered severe bite marks on his forehead, eyes, and face, while Meera, an adult woman, was bitten on her face, head, finger, and both legs. Sachin’s older sister, Meenesh, 13, was also attacked, with injuries to both legs.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos as the dog, which had previously been calm, suddenly became aggressive. Panicked children ran for safety, while women rushed to their aid. Two security guards from the nearby under-construction Rosevilla Society, Bahadur Singh and his colleague, also intervened but were bitten in the process.
Bahadur Singh, a 50-year-old guard, recounted the incident: “The dog used to stay calmly in that area, but today, it started attacking everyone.” Despite efforts to capture the dog, it remains at large, heightening fears among residents.
Victim Meera shared her terrifying experience: “The dog started attacking everyone on the way randomly. When it attacked my legs, I tried to evade it but it held my left arm finger in its mouth and pounced on my face, biting on my face and forehead.”
After receiving initial treatment at a local Kharar hospital, the more seriously injured were transferred to Mohali Civil Hospital and then referred to Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32 (GMCH-32), Chandigarh, for specialized care. Dr. Garima from Kharar Civil Hospital confirmed that all the injured have received necessary medical attention.
The incident has brought to light the ongoing issues related to stray dog management in the area. Despite a directive from the High Court on November 13, 2023, which mandated state governments to compensate dog-bite victims with a minimum financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per tooth mark and to establish committees headed by Deputy Commissioners to address such incidents, the implementation remains insufficient.
Local residents are now demanding immediate action from the authorities to capture the stray dog and prevent future attacks. The Rosevilla Housing Society and surrounding areas remain on high alert as the search for the aggressive dog continues. The community is also calling for increased patrolling and the establishment of a dedicated response team to handle similar emergencies.
This occurrence highlights the immediate requirement for a total and compassionate method of controlling abandoned canines in cities so as to guarantee the security and welfare of citizens while dealing with the basic issues that contribute to aggressive stray dogs.
