Teen, elderly man among 30 bitten by dog in 2 weeks: Residents

Mohali: A stray dog allegedly went on a biting spree in Baltana area of Zirakpur, targeting around 30 individuals over the past two weeks, area residents claimed.On Thursday, the dog allegedly bit a girl aged around 14 or 15 and an elderly man at Vaishali Enclave, Phase 2. Residents said the girl was bitten on the leg while she was walking in the colony. They added that the dog attacked without provocation almost every day. "People are scared to send their children outside to play or even walk to nearby shops," said Ramu Maurya, an area resident, demanding urgent action.Area residents Ramu Maurya, Payal Sood, Shagun, Ansh Upadhyay, Rubal, Shalvi, Ramita Devi, Ashish Kumar and Pushkar Ojha alleged that the Zirakpur MC had not responded to repeated complaints. "The dog sits in Phase 2 and attacks suddenly. We live in constant fear," said Payal Sood. Meanwhile, residents of other areas have also approached the MC to lodge complaints about stray dogs. Ranjit Kumar, a resident of Lohgarh, said, "We have a pack of stray dogs roaming the streets and park. In the past one week, such dogs have attacked five to six people out on a morning walk. No action has been taken by the MC so far."Ranjit Kumar, sanitary inspector, Municipal Council, Zirakpur, said while the tender process for sterilisation of stray dogs was completed, it was not yet clear whether the company had started work. "We are currently on duty in Anandpur Sahib," he said, without giving a timeline for action in Baltana.Residents have urged the MC to take immediate steps to control the stray dog menace, relocate aggressive animals to safe shelters, and strengthen security arrangements in residential areas to prevent further attacks. MSID:: 127992046 413 |