On 11th January, a 9-year-old girl named Riya Gautam was brutally killed by a pack of 15 to 20 stray dogs in the Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh. The incident has once again highlighted the growing menace of unchecked stray dog attacks in rural India.
Child attacked while accompanying family to fields
The incident took place in Pota village under the jurisdiction of Hazratnagar Garhi police station at around 5:30 PM. The victim, 9-year-old Riya Gautam, had gone to the fields with her mother and grandmother to collect fodder. While the elders were gathering grass, the child wandered a short distance away.
Seeing her alone, a pack of 15 to 20 stray dogs launched a vicious attack on the victim. She screamed for help. Hearing her cries, family members and villagers rushed towards the spot. However, by the time they reached, the dogs had already inflicted fatal injuries.
According to family members, the dogs mauled the child mercilessly and severed one of her arms. The dogs carried away the arm while fleeing. Villagers managed to drive the dogs away and rescue the child, but by that time, she had already succumbed to her injuries.
The family rushed her to the hospital in a desperate attempt to save her life. However, the doctors declared her brought dead.
Six months of terror ignored, say villagers
Speaking to the media, Riya’s cousin Tarun said that the attack occurred near a cremation ground where 15 to 20 dogs have been roaming freely. He said that the same pack has been terrorising the village for the past six months and has attacked several people earlier as well.
“The dogs even attacked her mother. Villagers somehow saved her, but my sister lost her life. We have complained multiple times, but no action was taken,” he said.
Police response after fatal attack
After receiving information about the incident, police from Hazratnagar Garhi reached the spot. The child’s body was sent for post-mortem examination. Speaking to the media, ASP Alok Bhati said that the police acted immediately after being informed about the child’s death due to a stray dog attack.
The incident has taken place in the backdrop of the ongoing hearing in the Supreme Court on the stray dog menace. In the recent hearings, self-styled dog lovers have tried to persuade the apex court to take back the 7th November order, where the court had directed the removal of all stray dogs from public and private institutions, including hospitals, railway stations, bus stands, schools, and colleges. On 9th January, counsel appearing for veteran actor Sharmila Tagore tried to glorify the presence of stray dogs in hospitals and was slammed by the court.
OpIndia is doing a series on the stray dog menace in India which can be checked here.
