Surat: A nine-year-old child was seriously injured after being attacked by stray dogs while playing in a residential society in the Vesu area, triggering fear and anger among local residents.

The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when the child was playing in the garden of Ratna Jyoti Apartment. According to residents, a pack of stray dogs suddenly surrounded the child and attacked him, biting his hand. Hearing the child’s screams, residents of the society and watchmen rushed to the spot and, with great difficulty, rescued him from the dogs.

The injured child was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment. Following the incident, residents expressed strong resentment against the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), alleging inaction despite repeated complaints about the stray dog menace. Locals said that five to six dogs roam freely in and around the society and that earlier complaints failed to evoke any response. After Thursday’s attack, the municipal team caught one dog, but residents are demanding that all stray dogs in the area be captured, questioning whether the authorities are waiting for a major tragedy before taking effective action. DeshGujarat