What’s Behind Gujarat’s Stray Dog Menace? Two Fatal Attacks in Surat and Surendranagar

Surat, July 8 (NationPress) A tragic incident occurred when a 40-year-old woman was attacked and killed by a group of approximately 15 stray dogs in Surat, hailing from Jottan village in Umarpada taluka on Tuesday.

As per police accounts, the woman had ventured outside early in the morning for a bathroom break when the dogs launched their vicious assault. She suffered critical injuries all over her body. When she failed to return home, her family set out to search for her and sadly found her lifeless body.

The police have filed a report, yet the attack has left the village in shock and anger due to the escalating dog problem. In a separate but equally tragic event, a 2-year-old child from a laborer family in Vagadhia village of Muli taluka, Surendranagar lost his life after being attacked by a stray dog.

It was reported that the child was asleep when the dog bit him multiple times, resulting in his untimely death. This incident has ignited outrage and sorrow within the village, with residents calling for urgent action.

These two incidents follow a series of alarming reports regarding aggressive stray dog behavior in both urban and rural areas of Gujarat. Earlier this week, public anger also surged in Valsad, where a young man died in a road accident despite wearing a helmet. Protesters held authorities accountable for the poorly maintained roads and ineffective governance.

In the Hodi Bungalow area of Surat, citizens have raised alarms about chemical-contaminated water leaking from municipal drains. When it comes to stray animals, especially dogs, Gujarat adheres to national regulations like the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules (2001, revised 2023). These regulations prohibit the killing or relocation of stray dogs and advocate for humane approaches such as sterilization and vaccination.

While local authorities are mandated to execute ABC programs, implementation often remains inconsistent and underfunded in numerous towns and rural locales. In light of repeated dog attack incidents, several municipalities in Gujarat have begun enforcing stricter monitoring, creating designated feeding areas, and imposing fines for unsafe or negligent actions involving strays.

Feeding stray dogs is not illegal in Gujarat, provided it is done sensibly. Courts have ruled that while individuals have the right to feed animals, it should not compromise public safety or hygiene. Some municipalities have established specific timeframes and locations for feeding strays to minimize clashes between feeders and local residents.

Simultaneously, inflicting harm or killing stray animals is a criminal act under Sections 428 and 429 of the Indian Penal Code, with offenders facing potential imprisonment or hefty fines.