Guard kids better as law bans beating back canines: MLA

Panaji: According to the law, dogs cannot be hit, said Ponda MLA Ravi Naik on Friday, following the death of 20-month-old Anabia Issac Shaikh, who was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs in Ponda.
“The area where the toddler was attacked has a high number of stray dogs. This has created fear among the children about their safety,” Naik said. “I stand with the grieving family during this difficult time and urge everyone to take care of their children, as we are not permitted to hit these dogs, as stipulated by court orders.”
Special attention must be paid when children are walking to and from school, he added. “Our municipality carries out the task of vaccinating stray dogs from time to time. However, there are many stray dogs in the area that are fed by people at various spots,” he said.
The child was viciously targeted by seven to eight stray dogs. She was declared dead on arrival by doctors at a Ponda hospital.