The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the recent death of an eight-year-old girl mauled by a pack of stray dogs while playing outside her house in Rupnagar district of Punjab.
The human rights body has issued a notice to the Punjab Chief Secretary, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.
According to media reports, the minor girl was attacked on June 10 following which local residents rescued the victim, and rushed her to the PGIMER, Chandigarh, but she succumbed to injuries on the way. The victim reportedly belonged to an economically vulnerable family. Her father passed away about four years ago and her mother worked as a domestic help.
The incident took place in Morinda town. A CCTV reportedly recorded the incident, leading to strong public anger and fresh criticism of civic bodies over what residents described as continued inaction against the rising stray dog problem.
The child is said to have gone to a nearby shop to buy milk when around 10 stray dogs attacked her. Relatives said her mother was at home caring for her elder daughter and younger son when the girl went out by herself. Her uncle said the dogs caused serious injuries on her head and other parts of the body.
“The condition of the girl was extremely critical. She was rushed to a local hospital and then referred to the PGI, Chandigarh, but she was declared ‘brought dead’ there,” he said.
Political and social organisations, along with residents, submitted memorandums to Morinda SDM Chetan Bangar, calling for immediate action, reports said.
Councillors said the main demands included creating and enforcing a detailed policy to control the stray dog population, providing immediate financial compensation to the grieving family, and capturing and shifting dangerous stray dogs and stray cattle to identified shelters.
