14 goats killed by stray dogs, farmer seeks Rs 5.6L compensation

A pack of stray dogs attacked a goat farm, killing 14 animals and leaving nine injured in the wee hours of Wednesday.

Gurpreet Singh of Rajendra Nagar, Jamalpura, in Malerkotla district, owner of the farm, has demanded a compensation of Rs 5.6 lakh, besides seeking free treatment of injured goats which survived the attack.

Through a communiqué addressed to Deputy Commissioner, Malerkotla, Viraj S Tidke, Gurpreet Singh has drawn attention of the state government towards increasing canine menace in the region, which had been taking heavy toll on lives of the people and domestic animals as well.

“I am a poor person who had been looking after my family with the meagre income from the sale of goat milk,” said Gurpreet Singh, adding that at present, he had been rearing 23 goats, some of which were purchased on credit.

Gurpreet is facing a double whammy as besides suffering losses due to the death of his 14 goats, he has to spend money on the treatment of the injured animals and disposal of the carcasses.

Notably, those hit by stray dog menace did not approach the authorities for seeking any compensation.

Now, that people have come to know about the High Court orders regarding responsibility of civic bodies of compensating victims according to number and nature of wounds inflicted by stray dogs, they (victims) have started demanding their rightful compensation in compliance with the orders of the court.

“I have demanded Rs 5.6 lakh as compensation as 14 goats, worth Rs 40,000 each, have been killed during the incident,” said Gurpreet Singh.