Shimla Nagrik Sabha has demanded Rs 2 lakh compensation and full medical expense coverage from the Shimla Municipal Corporation (MC) for a two-year-old girl who was severely attacked by stray dogs.
The incident, which occurred on September 20 in the Shankli area, has reignited concerns over the growing stray dog population in the state capital and prompted calls for immediate action from local authorities.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the toddler, Kritika, was playing in the courtyard of her residence when two stray dogs launched a sudden assault, dragging her and inflicting multiple injuries. The brutal attack has caused significant distress to the family and sparked outrage among residents, who are demanding a comprehensive strategy to manage the stray dog menace.
A delegation representing the Shimla Nagrik Sabha, headed by its president Jagmohan Thakur, met with Additional Commissioner Bhuwan Sharma on Monday. They presented a memorandum outlining their demands, emphasizing the alleged negligence of the Municipal Corporation in preventing such incidents.
Thakur stated that the responsibility for Kritika’s extensive injuries lies with the MC, and therefore, the civic body must shoulder all present and future medical costs associated with her treatment. He stressed that the financial burden should not fall upon the victim’s family, who are already grappling with the emotional trauma and the immediate expenses of care.
The delegation highlighted the ongoing treatment Kritika is undergoing and the profound mental anguish her family is experiencing. They urged the MC to provide immediate financial assistance to alleviate some of the pressure on the family during this difficult time. The Additional Commissioner assured the delegation that their demands would be carefully considered by the Municipal Corporation.
However, the Shimla Nagrik Sabha issued a stern warning, indicating their intention to organize a large-scale protest if the Municipal Corporation fails to address their demands satisfactorily. The incident underscores a persistent civic challenge in Shimla, where the stray dog population has been a recurring issue, posing a risk to public safety.
Previous attempts to control the stray dog population through various measures, including sterilization drives and awareness campaigns, have faced challenges in yielding long-term, effective results. Local residents have frequently voiced their concerns about the safety of children and elderly individuals, particularly in public spaces and residential colonies. The MC has, in the past, acknowledged the problem but has struggled to implement sustainable solutions that appease all stakeholders.
The Kantli area, where the attack occurred, is a densely populated residential zone, making the presence of aggressive stray dogs a significant concern for families residing there. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust animal control policies and their effective implementation by urban local bodies across the country, particularly in hill stations where public spaces are often limited.
The Shimla Municipal Corporation is now under pressure to not only provide immediate relief to the affected child and her family but also to revisit and strengthen its animal birth control (ABC) program and rabies vaccination initiatives. Furthermore, community engagement and public awareness programs are crucial to foster responsible pet ownership and reduce the number of abandoned animals contributing to the stray population. The civic body’s response to this demand will likely set a precedent for how such incidents are handled in the future and could influence public trust in its ability to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens.
The Chenab Times News Desk