Stray dog menace plagues Belagavi: Three attacks in 24 hours

Belagavi: Residents of Azam Nagar and Nehru Nagar are living in fear following a series of stray dog attacks, with three incidents reported in less than 24 hours. The alarming situation has made daily commute a challenge, as aggressive dogs roam the streets, posing a serious threat to public safety.
In one such attack, a 75-year-old man was mauled by a group of stray dogs while returning from prayers around 10.45pm on Monday. As captured by a CCTV camera, the dogs knocked him to the ground and started biting him. Fortunately, a passerby intervened, rescuing him from further harm. He was later admitted to the city civil hospital for treatment. Similar attacks were reported on 3rd Cross and 5th Cross in the same area.
Residents are urging the municipal corporation to take immediate and effective action to curb the stray dog menace before more serious incidents occur. If left unchecked, the situation could escalate, endangering lives and deteriorating the overall quality of life in the area.
The growing dog menace has left residents in distress, with frequent incidents of dogs chasing pedestrians, forcing many—especially women, children, and the elderly—to alter their routes out of fear. The situation is exacerbated by the improper disposal of garbage, as stray dogs tear apart plastic bags in search of food, leaving garbage scattered across the streets.
Despite repeated concerns raised by residents, authorities have done little to address the issue. With stray dogs spotted every 50 to 100 metres, the fear among locals is palpable.