KALYAN: A nine-year-old girl on her way to school was chased and attacked by nearly 10 stray dogs inside her housing society in Khoni, Dombivli, on Monday morning. The incident, captured on CCTV, has triggered concern among residents of the upscale Palava township.
The child, identified as Swara Nikam, had stepped out of her home around 7 am and was walking through Orchid Society when one stray dog lunged at her, according to footage reviewed by residents. As she tried to move away, several more dogs surrounded her. When she began running in fear, the pack chased her.
Hearing her screams, security guard Vikas Pandey rushed to the spot and managed to drive the dogs away with a stick. A few residents who were out for their morning walk also came to help. The girl escaped without physical injuries, but her father, Dattatraya Nikam, said she has been left deeply traumatised by the ordeal.
Residents said they have repeatedly approached the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) seeking sterilisation drives to control the stray dog population. However, they were reportedly told that the Palava township area falls under the jurisdiction of the Khoni gram panchayat, which lacks adequate facilities for dog sterilisation.
Locals estimate that the number of stray dogs in the locality has risen to around 150. Swara’s father alleged that feeding of dogs at unauthorised spots within the society has contributed to the surge in their numbers. Pandey also claimed that there have been previous instances of stray dogs attacking residents.
Residents have now urged authorities to establish a clear mechanism to manage and control the stray dog population. However, Mahesh Thombre, a local resident, said civic authorities have shifted responsibility, citing jurisdictional limitations.
