On Wednesday, August 28, a 76-year-old woman was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs during a morning walk at the Jalahalli Air Force Campus in Bengaluru. The deceased was identified as Rajdulari Sinha, a retired teacher from Bihar.

According to reports, Sinha, mother-in-law of an airman had come to Bengaluru. She was out for a morning walk when 10-12 stray dogs suddenly attacked her in the playground at Air Force East 7th Residential Camp in Jalahalli around 6.30 am. She sustained multiple injuries and died on the way to the hospital.

A case of unnatural death has been registered at the Gangamma Gudi police station, according to a senior police officer.

Meanwhile, a social media user, who claimed to have witnessed the incident, took to X to narrate what transpired. “It’s a tragic scene in the morning itself. Dozens of stray dogs attack a lady. I shouted, and my family joined me until a gentleman comes the dogs attacked. Jalahalli Airforce playground, Vidyaranyapura. I am guilty that I couldn’t help her because of this wall.”

“I was the helpless eyewitness. Due to their big wall, I couldn’t save her. I shouted and called some people and they took her to hospital, but no use,” he said in another post.

Jalahalli police inspector Sidde Gowda was quoted by HT as saying, “Raj Dulhari Sinha, a retired teacher from Maharajganj in Sivan district, Bihar, was staying at her son-in-law, Airman Amit Kumar’s house. The attack happened about 200 metres from the house when a pack of 10-12 dogs attacked her, inflicting grievous injuries. She was immediately shifted to MS Ramaiah Hospital but she died during treatment. The autopsy has been conducted. We have registered a case of unnatural death, and the investigation is ongoing.”

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Zonal Commissioner Karee Gowda stated that this is the first incident of its kind in the Yelahanka zone. “Last year, there were 35 reported cases of dog bites in our zone; this year, so far, seven cases were reported. We regularly conduct anti-birth control measures for street dogs and will take extra precautions to protect the lives of people, including relocating stray dogs if necessary,” he said.

Stray dog attacks have become increasingly common. In fact, only on 27th August, Nayeeb Shaikh, a four-year-old girl from Bhiwandi who was bitten by a dog in July this year, died while receiving treatment at Sion Hospital. The reason for her death is believed to be a severe dog bite. She was admitted to three separate government hospitals for proper treatment but could not be saved.


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