A tragic incident in Karnataka’s Bagalkot district has once again brought the issue of stray dog attacks and civic responsibility into sharp focus. A 10-year-old girl who was critically injured after being attacked by a stray dog last week succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday while undergoing treatment at the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Hubballi, officials confirmed.

The child, identified as Alaina Lokapur, suffered grievous facial injuries in the attack, which occurred in Sector No. 15 of Navanagar in Bagalkot. Despite sustained medical efforts and advanced treatment, doctors were unable to save her, citing the severity of her wounds.

Severe Injuries Proved Fatal

Bagalkot City Municipal Corporation commissioner R Vasanna said the girl died due to extensive facial injuries caused by the attack. Doctors involved in her treatment, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Alaina had sustained deep and complex wounds to her face, particularly around the mouth and eyes.

“She was provided the best possible medical care and advanced medicines, but the injuries were extremely severe. The damage to vital facial structures made her unresponsive to treatment,” one doctor said.

Officials said the child was initially rushed to the Bagalkot District Hospital immediately after the attack. As her condition deteriorated, she was referred to KIMS, Hubballi, a tertiary care hospital, for specialised treatment. Despite the intervention of senior doctors and intensive care support, she passed away on Wednesday.

Incident Sparks Grief and Anger

The death of the young girl has triggered widespread grief and anger among residents of Bagalkot, with many questioning the effectiveness of the civic body’s measures to control the stray dog population. Locals have long complained about the presence of aggressive stray dogs in residential areas, particularly in Navanagar, which has witnessed similar incidents in the past.

Family members of the deceased child were inconsolable, describing the incident as a nightmare that could have been prevented. Neighbours and residents gathered outside the family’s home to express their condolences, while also demanding accountability from the authorities.

Compensation Announced for Family

Commissioner R Vasanna announced that the family of the deceased girl would be given compensation of ₹5 lakh. Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, he said the civic body would take responsibility and ensure that such tragedies are not repeated.

“We lost the child despite providing good and advanced treatment at the Hubballi hospital. Unfortunately, we could not save her,” Vasanna said. “The family will be compensated with ₹5 lakh. We will also ensure that parents do not lose their children due to the negligence of civic authorities.”

He added that the incident had prompted the municipal corporation to review and intensify its measures to address the stray dog menace across the city.

Stray Dog Menace and Supreme Court Intervention

The stray dog issue has been a persistent problem in many urban and semi-urban areas of Karnataka. In Bagalkot, the civic authorities claim that steps have already been taken to control the population of stray dogs, particularly after directions from the Supreme Court.

According to Commissioner Vasanna, rehabilitation centres have been set up in parts of the district, and nearly 1,000 stray dogs have been sterilised and relocated in accordance with court orders. He said these efforts were part of a long-term strategy to reduce the stray dog population in a humane and legally compliant manner.

“Essential steps to control and eradicate the stray dog menace were already underway and have been further intensified following the Supreme Court’s intervention,” he said. “We are committed to ensuring public safety.”

However, residents argue that despite these claims, stray dogs continue to roam freely in residential colonies, posing a serious risk to children and the elderly.

Civic Body Admits Failure

The incident has also drawn a rare public admission of failure from local elected representatives. Savita Lenkennavar, chief of the elected council of the Bagalkot Town Municipal Corporation, described the girl’s death as a “black mark” on the civic body.

“Even after the Supreme Court’s directions and repeated alerts from the district administration, and despite starting a stray dog eradication drive, we unfortunately lost our girl,” Lenkennavar said. “This is a painful reminder that our efforts have not been sufficient.”

Her remarks reflect growing pressure on municipal authorities to move beyond policy announcements and demonstrate tangible results on the ground.

A Broader Public Safety Concern

Stray dog attacks have become a major public safety concern in several parts of India, often triggering debates between animal rights activists, civic authorities and residents. While animal welfare groups advocate humane methods such as sterilisation and vaccination, citizens frequently demand urgent action to prevent attacks, especially on children.

Experts point out that poor waste management, open garbage dumps and lack of consistent sterilisation programmes contribute to the rising stray dog population in urban areas. They stress that effective solutions require coordinated efforts involving municipal bodies, animal welfare organisations and the public.

In Bagalkot’s case, the death of a child has highlighted the consequences of delayed or ineffective implementation of such measures.

Calls for Accountability and Action

Following the incident, several local groups and residents have called for an independent inquiry into the circumstances that led to the attack. They are demanding stricter monitoring of stray dog control programmes, accountability for lapses and immediate measures to make residential areas safer.

“This should not end with compensation,” said a resident of Navanagar. “Authorities must be held accountable, and real action must be taken so that no other family goes through this.”

As Bagalkot mourns the loss of a young life, the tragedy has underscored the urgent need for sustained and effective civic intervention. For many, the death of Alaina Lokapur is not just an isolated incident, but a stark warning about the human cost of administrative failure.