Shariq.Majeed
Elderly man mauled to death by stray dogs
Ludhiana: A former village sarpanch, Jagdish Singh, was found dead, partly eaten by a pack of stray dogs, near a carcass disposal site in Pabbian village near Ludhiana’s Jagraon late Wednesday night. It’s the second alleged fatal dog attack in the same location in two weeks. “Police were informed after Jagdish was cremated,” police post in charge ASI Sukhwinder Singh told TOI, adding that he was mauled to death by dogs. Aged around 80, Jagdish was too feeble to fend off the pack, said villagers. One of his arms and a leg were eaten down to the bone, they recounted in horror. Singh had probably stepped out to relieve himself when he was attacked by a pack of dogs that roams near the village’s carcass dumping site, Hadda Rodi, said family members and locals.On Thursday morning, his nephew, Pavandeep, took him tea as usual but couldn’t find him in his room. He found the mutilated body lying in the field and alerted family members and other villagers. Pavandeep said the incident has triggered panic in the village. Jagraj Singh, member of a local sports club, said villagers informed police but before the cops could arrive, the family, along with residents, cremated Jagdish as the body had begun decomposing due to the heat and the extent of the injuries. Gurmail Singh, husband of the current sarpanch, said Jagdish’s wife and daughter live in Canada.Singh said they fear more dog attacks and have urged the authorities to check the stray population. Villagers allege that livestock are also attacked. They want the administration to launch a special drive to capture strays and put them in a shelter. On the night of July 2, a 50-year-old migrant farm labourer from Bihar was allegedly mauled to death by a pack of strays near the same carcass disposal site. A villager said that a 7-year-old child was seriously injured in a similar attack some time ago. Jagraon SDM Baldeen has asked the block development and panchayat officer to conduct an inquiry into Jagdish’s death. A committee will investigate the matter and further action will be taken based on its report, he said, adding that it will be considered for compensation under CM relief fund.
