Kalaburagi: At least five children, including toddlers, sustained serious injuries after a stray dog attacked them in the Devinagar locality of Kalaburagi city on Friday, triggering widespread concern over the rising stray dog menace in the region.
According to local residents, the children were playing outside their homes when the dog suddenly turned aggressive and began biting them. The victims reportedly suffered injuries to their eyes, ears and chest, causing panic in the neighbourhood. Family members and locals rushed the injured children to the Government Institute of Medical Sciences, where they are currently undergoing treatment. Hospital sources confirmed that the children are under medical observation and their condition is stable.
Residents Allege Civic Inaction
The incident has intensified public anger against the municipal corporation authorities. Residents alleged that dog bite cases are being reported frequently, yet no sustained preventive measures have been implemented to curb the growing population of stray dogs in the city.
“We have been complaining about stray dogs for months. Every day there are bite cases, but no permanent solution has been provided,” a local resident told News Flash Daily.
Following the attack, agitated locals staged a protest and laid siege to the municipal corporation office, demanding immediate intervention, sterilisation drives and stricter monitoring to ensure the safety of children and elderly residents.
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Series of Similar Incidents Raise Alarm
The latest attack comes amid a series of stray dog-related incidents reported in Kalaburagi and other parts of Karnataka. On February 7, a video of a young schoolgirl bravely fending off a pack of stray dogs in Kalaburagi went viral on social media, drawing attention to the worsening ground situation. The corporation later stated that the dogs involved in that case were captured and safety measures were strengthened.
Earlier, five children were reportedly injured in the Mominpur area after being bitten by a suspected rabid dog. In a separate incident on January 28 and 29, seven children and an elderly person were attacked by a dog in Bailahongal town of Belagavi district.
With repeated incidents surfacing, residents and activists have called for a comprehensive action plan including sterilisation, vaccination and proper monitoring of stray animals to prevent further tragedies. Further official details regarding Friday’s incident are awaited.
