ISKANDAR PUTERI: A 7-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 flat in Lima Kedai here today.
Kota Iskandar assemblyman Datuk Pandak Ahmad said the incident occurred between 3pm and 4pm, when the boy was playing in the area before the 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 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 Baru for treatment.
Pandak said such incidents are deeply concerning and require immediate action by 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 around 6am the same day.
The teenager managed to drive the dogs 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.
He said 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 safety of the residents 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.
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.
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