8-year-old suffers dog bite, sparking rage and debate among Gurugram residents

In yet another incident highlighting the urgent need for better stray dog management in Gurugram, over 100 people clashed in Sector 37 on Monday night after a stray dog bit an eight-year-old boy.

‘Require more pounds to address issue’

The MCG operates in accordance with the law, and we are doing everything we can, from vaccinations to sterilisation. We also assist RWAs in managing dogs that are habitual attackers. However, we require more dog pounds to address the issue effectively. A stray dog policy is currently in development. Residents must refrain from random feeding and dumping garbage, as these are core reasons behind the stray dog menace. — Dr Narhari Banger, MCG Commissioner

The incident, reported from Takshila Society past midnight, followed approximately 10 dog bite cases. In response, residents decided to chase away the 11 stray dogs living on the premises. Armed with sticks, enraged residents and security guards attempted to drive the dogs away, while dog lovers and feeders in the society stepped in to rescue them. The confrontation quickly escalated, with people charging at each other with sticks. Desperate calls were made to the police and animal rights activists. The standoff ended when all dogs were sent outside the society gates, and the society issued a list of fines, up to Rs 5,000, for pet owners who failed to keep their pets under control.

Like many other societies, Takshila had taken various measures to address the issue, including sterilising the dogs and designating feeding areas. However, the society has been struggling with recurring dog bite incidents.

“The boy, who was bitten while playing nearby, is traumatised. He refuses to leave his house and is not even attending school. Dog bites are a serious issue. While many residents support feeding and nurturing the strays, others — particularly senior citizens and children — are too afraid to go outside. The RWA tries to manage the situation, but we are powerless. The MC, Gurugram, offers no real help as despite repeated complaints all they offer is sterilisation. We are not against animals, but when dogs start biting, action is necessary,” said TR Narula, vice-president of the society.

Takshila is not an isolated case. The entire Millennium City continues to struggle with the menace of dog bites. Government health facilities report around 3,000 dog bite cases per month, and MCG records indicate over 7,000 stray dogs in the city.

“We have around 100 stray dogs in our society, and a new dog attack is reported every other day. We’ve tried everything — setting up feeding points, hiring guards to keep the dogs away and even asking residents to carry sticks — but nothing works. People returning home at night can’t even get out of their cabs,” said Vijay Nath, president of the RWA at Malibu Town.

“Numerous senior citizens are chased daily, leading to falls. Stray dogs have become a civic menace, worsened by poor sanitation and indiscriminate feeding. The MCG needs to take stern action,” added Rakesh Jinsi, RWA president of Sector 17.