Stray dog attacks 11 people in Kharar slum area

Mohali, July 26

A five-year-old boy and a 30-year-old woman were bitten by a stray dog who injured around 11 persons in the slum area near Rosevilla Housing Society in Kharar today afternoon.

Sachin sustained serious bite marks on forehead, eyes and face while Meera was bitten on face, head, finger and both legs. After giving preliminary treatment at a Kharar hospital, they were rushed to Mohali Civil Hospital from where they were referred to GMCH-32. Sachin’s 13 year old sister, Meenesh was also bitten on lboth the legs.

Locals said the children were playing in the shanties when the dog suddenly started biting the children. Panicked children ran for safety even as women rushed to their help.

Hearing the shreik of women, two security guards at the under-construction Rosevilla society also rushed to their help but the dog bit them too.

Security guard Bahadur Singh, 50, said, “The dog used to stay calmly in that area but today, it started attacking everyone.” According to the locals, the dog has not been caught yet.

Victim Meera said, “The dog started attacking everyone on the way randomly. When it attacked my legs, I tried to evade it but it held my left arm finger in its mouth and pounced on my face, biting on my face and forehead.”

Kharar Civil Hospital doctor Garima said all the injured have been treated. Three serious cases, including two children and a woman, have been referred to GMCH-32.

Dog-bite committee on paper only

On November 13, 2023, the High Court directed that the state government shall be primarily responsible for paying compensation to dog-bite victims, adding that the minimum financial assistance would be Rs 10,000 per tooth mark. The court mandated the governments to set up committees headed by the Deputy Commissioners.