Bengaluru: 2 College Students Hospitalised After Stray Dog Attack; One Critically Injured

Two college students in Bengaluru were attacked by stray dogs and have been hospitalised. One of the students, who sustained critical injuries, has been admitted to the ICU for treatment.

According to media reports, the incident occurred around 11 AM near the premises of the Dr B R Ambedkar School of Economics University. The victims Soujanya G J from Haveri and Rega Nikshitha from Telangana are both third-year students enrolled in the integrated MSc in Economics programme. Soujanya sustained severe injuries and has been admitted to the ICU of a private hospital, while Rega is undergoing treatment for her injuries.

Supreme Court Steps In Amid Rise in Stray Dog Attacks

The incident comes amid growing national concern over stray dog attacks. On Monday, the Supreme Court directed that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR must be removed from residential areas within eight weeks and relocated to dedicated shelters. The bench, comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan, issued a stern warning that any organisation obstructing the implementation of this order would face strict legal action.

The directive was issued as part of an ongoing case, with the court taking serious note of the increasing number of stray dog attacks, particularly in urban residential zones.

Court Orders Shelters for 5,000 Stray Dogs

The Supreme Court, while hearing a case concerning stray dog attacks, directed that dedicated shelters be established to house approximately 5,000 stray dogs. The bench also emphasised the need to deploy adequate personnel at these shelters to carry out sterilisation and immunisation of the animals, as reported by PTI.

The court added that stray dogs should not be released back onto streets, residential areas, or public spaces once captured. "We are issuing these directions keeping larger public interest in mind," the bench stated, adding that infants and young children must not be exposed to the risk of rabies or attacks from stray dogs.

Delhi Dog Bite Victims Applaud Supreme Court's Stray Dog Ruling

Sundar Singh, a local teacher and recent victim of a dog bite in Delhi, welcomed the Supreme Court’s directive to relocate stray dogs from residential areas.

“I fully support this decision because the NGOs that take care of stray dogs have done the wrong thing. On 19th July, while I was passing through Uday Park, two dogs suddenly attacked me. I then got an injection at Safdarjung Hospital. The dog problem is a big issue here. With this decision, small children and our senior citizens will be protected,” he said, as reported by PTI.