A two-year-old girl was allegedly mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs in the Dhobhi Ghat area of New Delhi’s Tughlaq Lane, according to the police. The incident unfolded around 6 pm on Saturday when the child was sitting outside her residence. In a horrifying turn of events, four to five dogs pounced on her, dragging her for several meters and inflicting fatal injuries, police informed, as reported by news agency PTI.
Following an autopsy, the girl’s body was returned to her family, while authorities initiated an investigation into the incident.
According to the PTI, a senior New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) stated, “It is a very sad and unfortunate incident. A team of veterinarians visited the spot and it was found that the dogs in the area were vaccinated and sterilised. The police inquiry will make things clearer.”
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Delhi Girl’s Family Demands Action Against Locals Feeding Stray Dogs
The family of the girl demanded strict action against those who feed the stray dogs near the locality.
Ravi, the victim’s uncle, recounted the harrowing ordeal, stating “Around 6 pm, four to five stray dogs suddenly attacked our child, dragged her for 100-150 meters, and mauled her.” Furthermore, he also asserted that this was not the first stray dog attack in the area. “These same dogs attacked children playing outside their homes, cats, and chicken,” Ravi said, adding that the villagers had reported to the relevant authorities on several occasions but those were ignored.
“We are poor people. When we tried to stop those who feed the dogs, they threatened us with a police complaint,” he alleged. Ravi said the police received complaints from the residents about these individuals as well, but they did nothing.
A senior police officer stated, “A police team and forensic experts were sent to the spot after we received information about the incident. The girl was rushed to a hospital where she died during treatment. Further investigation has begun.” Since the year’s beginning, Delhi has seen a number of dog attacks; this reported incidence is the most recent.
Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi met the grieving family and said, “It’s an unfortunate incident. Stray animals in Delhi have become a problem. This area comes under NDMC. Whether it’s MCD or NDMC, both organisations will take a decision after a discussion, considering the welfare of animal lovers, the people of Delhi, and ensuring public safety.”
VIDEO | Here’s what Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi’s said after meeting the family of the 18-month-old girl mauled to death by stray dogs in Tughlaq area.
“It’s an unfortunate incident. Stray animals in Delhi have become a problem. This area comes under NDMC. Whether it’s MCD or… pic.twitter.com/xBfZBc2D0x
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 25, 2024
Other Incidents Of Dog Attacks In Delhi
Prior instances include of seven-year-old girl who suffered more than 15 injuries after allegedly being attacked by her neighbour’s American Bully while playing outside with her friends in Rohini’s Sector-25 area on January 29.
In another incident, on January 22, a pet dog in Vishwash Nagar, northeast Delhi, is said to have attacked a two-year-old girl. The day before that, a Pitbull reportedly injured a seven-year-old boy in the Mahendra Park locality of northwest Delhi. Similarly, in the Shahbad Dairy vicinity, a seven-year-old girl was purportedly attacked by a different American Bully while she was playing close to her residence.
In an incident at Burari’s Uttarakhand Colony, a Pitbull is said to have taken an 18-month-old girl from her grandfather’s lap and mauled her.