In a tragic incident in Jharkhand, a five-year-old boy was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs in the Garhwa district. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when the child was playing outside his home in a village under the Bhandaria police station area.
Incident Details
The boy, identified as Raju Kumar, was playing near his house when a group of stray dogs attacked him. Hearing his screams, family members rushed to the spot and managed to chase the dogs away, but the child had already sustained severe injuries. He was immediately taken to a nearby primary health centre, where doctors declared him brought dead.
Community Reaction
The incident has sparked outrage among local residents, who have been demanding action against the rising stray dog population. Villagers staged a protest, blocking a major road and demanding compensation for the family and measures to control stray dogs.
Police officials arrived at the scene and pacified the protesters, assuring them that necessary steps would be taken. Senior police officer Anil Kumar Singh stated that an investigation has been launched and efforts are being made to capture the aggressive dogs.
Growing Menace of Stray Dogs
This is not an isolated incident. Several attacks by stray dogs have been reported in Jharkhand in recent months, leading to injuries and deaths. Animal rights activists have called for humane solutions, including sterilization and vaccination programs, rather than culling. However, local communities are increasingly frustrated and demand immediate safety measures.
Government Response
The Jharkhand government has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh to the family of the deceased. Additionally, the district administration has been directed to intensify stray dog control measures, including the formation of rapid response teams to handle such incidents.
Local authorities have also urged residents to report stray dog sightings and avoid leaving children unattended outdoors. The incident has reignited the debate on stray dog management in urban and rural areas across India.
