A two-year-old girl is in critical condition after being mauled by a pack of stray dogs in a heartbreaking incident in Ghazi Nagar, Raipur. The attack has reignited public outrage over the growing menace of stray dogs in the city, with residents alleging a |lack of action by municipal authorities. The victim, identified as Anaya, was playing outside her home in Ward No. 29 when she was suddenly attacked by a group of about half a dozen stray dogs. Eyewitnesses rushed to her aid and rescued her, but not before she sustained severe injuries to her head, cheek, and hand. She was immediately rushed to DKS Hospital, where she remains in critical condition. Doctors have confirmed that the deep wounds on her head will require surgery.

 

This incident is not an isolated one, according to local residents. People in the Birgaon area report a rising fear of stray dogs, especially at night, as large packs often surround them. The situation has reportedly become so dire that 10 to 15 people are becoming victims of dog attacks every day. The Raipur Municipal Corporation has an Animal Birth Control (ABC) program in place to manage the stray dog population through sterilisation and vaccination. However, a recent report presented in the state assembly by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai highlighted the scale of the problem. It revealed that over 51,000 dog bite cases were reported in Raipur district in the last three years, indicating a sharp rise in attacks. The locals also pointed out a critical public health issue: the alleged lack of anti-rabies injections in government hospitals, which forces victims to seek treatment elsewhere and pay for costly vaccines. While government health centres are supposed to provide adequate and free treatment, the availability of vaccines and other treatments remains a concern for the community. The family of the two-year-old girl is currently in a state of shock, awaiting the results of the medical team’s efforts to save her.