Bathinda: An eight-year-old girl was seriously injured after being attacked by a pack of stray dogs in Bhagu village of Bathinda district, triggering fresh concerns over public safety and the growing menace of stray animals in rural areas.
The child sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the Civil Hospital in Bathinda, where she is currently undergoing treatment. Doctors said the girl suffered bite wounds at nearly 40 places on her body, leaving her in critical condition. Due to the trauma, she has reportedly been unable to eat or sleep.
Recounting the incident, the girl’s mother, Karamjit Kaur, said the child had stepped outside the house while playing when a group of stray dogs dragged her into nearby fields. Hearing her daughter’s screams, she rushed outside and alerted neighbours, who helped drive the dogs away and rescue the child.
The injured girl was immediately taken to the Bathinda Civil Hospital for emergency treatment.
The victim’s family and villagers alleged that the problem of stray dogs in the village has been worsening for a long time. Karamjit Kaur said the issue has been repeatedly raised with the village panchayat, but no effective action has been taken. She added that several children in the village have been bitten by dogs in the past.
Social worker Gurjant Singh said the situation has become unsafe for residents, especially children. “No one feels secure here. Some people are threatened by drug abuse, others by stray dogs. Children are being attacked almost daily,” he said.
Villagers said this was not the first such incident and claimed that children are unsafe even while going to school. They accused the government and local administration of ignoring the problem and demanded immediate measures to control the stray dog population and ensure public safety.
