Elderly man hurt in stray bull fight

Raghav Guleria

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, January 31

Despite repeated concerns from residents, the issue of stray animals roaming freely on streets and public areas remains unresolved. The lack of decisive action from the state government has left people suffering, as these animals continue to pose threat, particularly to children, women and the elderly.

In a tragic incident on Friday, Bishan Dass, an elderly resident of Nandpur village in Haripur tehsil, Kangra district, sustained severe injuries after being caught in a fight between stray bulls on the road. With no family to care for him, young volunteers from the village rushed him to an orthopaedic clinic in Sunehat. Recognising the gravity of the situation, financial aid began pouring in for his treatment and post-procedural care. The youth have taken up the responsibility of assisting him during his recovery.

Upon learning of the incident, Dehra Subdivisional Magistrate Shilpi Beakta directed the hospital to provide necessary medical care and extended financial assistance to the victim.

Despite several announcements and initiatives, the ground reality remains unchanged. Stray animals, particularly bulls and dogs, continue to cause injuries and accidents, leaving residents in constant fear. Sanjiv Sandhu and Shubham Mehra, who are actively supporting Bishan Dass, expressed their gratitude to the civil administration and those who have stepped forward to help. However, they emphasised that such incidents occur frequently, with people falling victim to bull fights and dog bites.

The menace of stray cattle is also wreaking havoc on agriculture, causing substantial financial losses for farmers. Abandoned and unclaimed cattle, coupled with inadequate shelter facilities, have exacerbated the problem. Although some organisations are contributing through sterilisation programmes, animal shelters and awareness campaigns, these efforts are far from sufficient.

The residents are now demanding immediate and concrete action from the authorities to address the issue effectively. Until a long-term solution is implemented, the safety and well-being of the people remain at risk.