NEW DELHI: A two-year-old girl was allegedly mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs in the Dhobi Ghat area of Tughlak Lane. Police said the body was handed over to the girl’s family after an autopsy.
Locals said loud music from nearby DJ sessions drowned out the girl’s screams during the attack. It wasn’t until some bystanders intervened that she was freed from the dogs’ grasp.By then, the girl had sustained severe injuries.
According to the victim’s family, the incident occurred around 6 pm on Saturday when the child was playing outside her home. “A pack of four to five dogs pounced on her, dragging her around 100-150 metres to a nearby lane where they fatally mauled her,” the complainant stated.
A senior police officer said that a police team and forensic experts were sent to the spot. “The girl was rushed to a hospital, where she died during treatment. A case has been registered at Tughlaq Road police station,” he stated.
The victim’s father, Rahul, works as a laundry man. Ravi Kumar, 38, the victim’s uncle, told TOI, “While our family was indoors, a passerby alerted us to the incident. We rushed to the scene. Our hearts sank as we found her in a dreadful state. She was surrounded by blood. Her right ear was mauled by the dogs. She was practically torn apart.”
Kumar further added that this was not the first dog attack in their area. “Another child in our family had fallen victim to a similar attack a few months ago. In an attempt to address the issue, we approached the woman known to feed dogs in the area. Instead of cooperation, we were met with threats,” he alleged.
He added that locals had repeatedly complained to authorities about stray dogs attacking children, cats and chickens, but they were ignored.
A senior NDMC official said, “After spot verification, our team found that the dogs were operated and vaccinated. Our officials are on the ground. Some temporary cottages and dog shelters were found to be feeding stray dogs.”
Mayor Shelly Oberoi visited the deceased’s family and assured them of all possible help. “We have ordered talks with MCD officials and NDMC chairman to rid Delhi of the problem of stray animals. While strict action will be taken against whoever is negligent in this matter, we will take care of the sentiments of animal lovers,” she said.
“We have spoken to NDMC officials. If any negligence is seen on their part in this matter, then strict action will be taken against them too. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has given orders in this regard. To ensure that such accidents do not happen again, the department concerned has been ordered to prepare a complete report on the areas in which most of these incidents occur,” she said in a press statement.
Locals said loud music from nearby DJ sessions drowned out the girl’s screams during the attack. It wasn’t until some bystanders intervened that she was freed from the dogs’ grasp.By then, the girl had sustained severe injuries.
According to the victim’s family, the incident occurred around 6 pm on Saturday when the child was playing outside her home. “A pack of four to five dogs pounced on her, dragging her around 100-150 metres to a nearby lane where they fatally mauled her,” the complainant stated.
A senior police officer said that a police team and forensic experts were sent to the spot. “The girl was rushed to a hospital, where she died during treatment. A case has been registered at Tughlaq Road police station,” he stated.
The victim’s father, Rahul, works as a laundry man. Ravi Kumar, 38, the victim’s uncle, told TOI, “While our family was indoors, a passerby alerted us to the incident. We rushed to the scene. Our hearts sank as we found her in a dreadful state. She was surrounded by blood. Her right ear was mauled by the dogs. She was practically torn apart.”
Kumar further added that this was not the first dog attack in their area. “Another child in our family had fallen victim to a similar attack a few months ago. In an attempt to address the issue, we approached the woman known to feed dogs in the area. Instead of cooperation, we were met with threats,” he alleged.
He added that locals had repeatedly complained to authorities about stray dogs attacking children, cats and chickens, but they were ignored.
A senior NDMC official said, “After spot verification, our team found that the dogs were operated and vaccinated. Our officials are on the ground. Some temporary cottages and dog shelters were found to be feeding stray dogs.”
Mayor Shelly Oberoi visited the deceased’s family and assured them of all possible help. “We have ordered talks with MCD officials and NDMC chairman to rid Delhi of the problem of stray animals. While strict action will be taken against whoever is negligent in this matter, we will take care of the sentiments of animal lovers,” she said.
“We have spoken to NDMC officials. If any negligence is seen on their part in this matter, then strict action will be taken against them too. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has given orders in this regard. To ensure that such accidents do not happen again, the department concerned has been ordered to prepare a complete report on the areas in which most of these incidents occur,” she said in a press statement.