Danger lurks at dumps, hungry packs target kids

Over the past three months, stray dog attacks have claimed the lives of six children across the state, with three of these incidents occurring near garbage dump sites.

On June 3, a six-year-old child succumbed to injuries inflicted by dog bites at a dumping yard in Miyapur. Later that month, another boy of the same age lost his life after being attacked by strays near a dumping site in Patancheru.

Less than a month later, Jawahar Nagar, which is home to Hyderabad’s main dumping ground, witnessed yet another incident on Tuesday evening.


“Children are vulnerable to such attacks due to their limited ability to escape from the spot,” said a senior veterinary official from GHMC.

“Moreover, children often carry food items like biscuit packets, which attract stray dogs. When dogs attempt to snatch these items, the resistance can lead to attacks,” the official said. Veterinary experts also noted that stray dog populations surge around dumping sites where they rely on discarded food. When food is scarce, these dogs can become aggressive.

“In such situations, children are at risk and become targets of these attacks, being seen as easy prey by hungry animals. Stray dogs often mark their territory by urinating in the area. This ter ritorial behaviour can trigger attacks on perceived intruders,” said Pratheek Ravipati, a veterinarian.

Advocate Roja Ramani, who filed a petition in the High Court on behalf of petitioner ME Vikramaditya, raised concerns about the city’s lack of proper vaccination and sterilisation for stray dogs. “I’ve visited animal care centres in city and found them to be in a deplorable state. There are issues with relocating sterilised dogs to new areas, whichcompromises their survival,” she said.
TIMES VIEW: Stray dog bites and mauling of both children and adults have become disturbingly regular in the state prompting concern and anger among citizens. There is an urgent need to take strays off the streets to prevent such ghastly incidents. Vaccinating and neutering strays to reduce the their population, and rehabilitating the canines in dog shelters is the only way out to put a leash on the burgeoning menace. Residents feeding stray dogs on the streets without taking any responsibility results in such dogs becoming semi-domesticated and territorial, frequently attacking passersby and two-wheeler riders
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