MARGAO: There was a different type of panic in Aquem when six stray dogs attacked a family in Aquem and injured a three-year-old boy. The young child, who was bitten by the dogs, received four stitches and he complained that the teeth of the dog tore into his skin. Marks of the dog bites are visible on his skin.
The incident sparked outrage sparks outrage amongst community with locals demanding for a solution to the stray dog menace in view of other such dog bite cases.
There have been other similar complaints in other parts of Margao. In Fatorda, there have case where pet kittens and cats have been killed in these stray dog attacks.
The family, who was attacked, revealed that the incident took place on Thursday afternoon. A mother and her two children were attempting to enter her maternal home when they were attacked by the six stray dogs. Her young daughter ran out of fear and hid behind a car, which saved her from the pack of dogs. However, the mother, while trying to save her son, fell down and injured her back, while the son got bitten by the dogs. Another lady residing in the same building said that both her sons had been attacked and bitten by the dogs earlier this year. Locals in the neighbourhood further pointed out that a senior citizen had received a dog bite in a similar manner, some days ago.
Margao Municipal Council has also come under criticism for not providing due assistance to the organisation that looks after stray dogs. Sandra Fernandes of the South Goa Welfare Trust for Animals (SGWTA), has been doing her job with dedication but is facing apathy from the civic body as far as the regular payments are concerned.
Former MMC chairperson Savio Coutinho also criticised the MMC on its failure to clear payments to the shelter on time.