ISKANDAR PUTERI, Oct 13 — A seven-year-old boy was injured after being attacked by a pack of six to eight stray dogs while playing at a playground near a low-cost housing flat in Lima Kedai here yesterday.
Kota Iskandar assemblyman Datuk Pandak Ahmad said the incident occurred between 3 pm and 4 pm, when the boy was believed to have been playing before the stray dogs attacked him, causing him to fall and roll on the ground as he tried to escape.
“Fortunately, a man who witnessed the incident threw stones at the dogs from a distance, helping to save the boy.
“I was informed of the incident by the village head and went to the flats to inspect the location,” he told Bernama when contacted.
He said the victim sustained injuries to the eye area, neck, head and body and was rushed to Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) in Johor Bahru for treatment.
Pandak said such incidents are deeply concerning and require immediate action by the authorities.
He said the incident was not the first of its kind in the area, as a 15-year-old boy had also been attacked by a pack of eight stray dogs at about 6 am the same day.
The teenager managed to drive the animals away before fleeing to the building’s staircase, but sustained injuries to his leg.
Pandak said he had met the teenager and advised him to seek treatment at a nearby clinic, while the seven-year-old boy is receiving treatment at HSA.
He said the matter had been brought to the attention of the local authority and he was informed that the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) would conduct an operation tonight to address the stray dog problem in the area.
He said appropriate action needs to be taken immediately to ensure the residents’ safety, particularly that of children, even if it might draw objections from non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
“How long are we going to allow this to happen? Do we have to wait for someone to die before action is taken?” he said.
He also visited the victim and expressed hope that effective measures would be implemented to prevent similar incidents, particularly in residential areas with public facilities for residents.
In an earlier incident on Sept 5, a two-year-old girl, Nur Haira Wafiqah, was reported to have sustained serious injuries after being attacked by five stray dogs in Kampung Tambak, Peserai, Batu Pahat.
The victim suffered serious injuries to several parts of her body in the attack. — Bernama