DERA GHAZI KHAN: A 7th class student allegedly died in an attack by a pack of stray dogs on the premises of a public school here on Tuesday.

As per eyewitnesses, Mubashar, son of Mahmood Sheikh, a resident of Block 39 of DG Khan city, studied in 7th class at the Government Lab High School for Boys.

They said Mubashar was attacked by a pack of stray dogs on the school premises and was mauled.

They said the boy cried for help but no one came forward to save him from the dogs. The boy was so traumatised by the attack, he fell unconscious they added. They said the school staff called Rescue 1122 for help but no one from the emergency service responded and the unconscious boy was shifted to the teaching hospital of the Ghazi Medical College on a motorcycle. However, on being moved to the hospital, the doctors declared the boy dead.

Chief Executive Officer (education) Masood Ahmed said quoting the victim’s family that the boy was epileptic and during the dog attack he suffered a fit, resulting in his death.

However, he said Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has taken notice of the incident and ordered an inquiry into the student’s death.

The chief minister has directed DG Khan Commissioner Liaqat Ali Chattha to probe into the matter and furnish a report within 24 hours, fixing the responsibility for the incident.

Meanwhile, locals blamed DG Khan Municipal Corporation (MC) for not controlling stray dogs’ population in the city, resulting in the boy’s death.

They said because of lack of action by the MC staff, stray dogs could be seen roaming on the premises of schools, hospitals, markets and residential areas of the city.

They also complained of shortage of rabies vaccine at the hospitals in the district.

Meanwhile, on the orders of the chief minister, the chief officer of the municipal corporation, the district emergency officer of Rescue 1122 and a school principal have been suspended from service over the death of a student due to attack by dogs.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2022