13-year-old girl killed in stray dog attack in Bahawalnagar

A 13-year-old girl was killed after being attacked by a pack of stray dogs in a rural area of Bahawalnagar district prompting residents to demand urgent action to address the growing problem of stray animals.

The incident occurred in Chak Yaseen, Mouza Akoka Hathar on the outskirts of Bahawalnagar. The victim identified as Rehana was reportedly travelling from her home to a local madrassa for religious classes when she was surrounded by more than a dozen stray dogs in an isolated area.

According to details shared by local sources the animals attacked the girl leaving her with severe injuries. Despite residents rushing to the location after hearing her cries she died at the scene.

Her body was handed over to the family after the completion of necessary formalities.

The funeral prayer was held in her native village and attended by local residents, community elders and officials from the district and tehsil administrations. Bahawalnagar Deputy Commissioner Syed Abbas Raza also attended and offered condolences to the bereaved family.

Rehana was later buried in the local graveyard.

The incident has caused widespread grief and concern among residents, with parents worried about children’s safety while travelling to schools and religious institutions. Local people said stray dog attacks had injured children and passersby in the past but described this incident as particularly devastating.

Residents have called on Punjab Chief Minister, the Commissioner of Bahawalpur Division and the Deputy Commissioner of Bahawalnagar to take immediate notice.

Their demands include an emergency campaign to control stray dogs across the district accountability of the departments concerned financial assistance for the victim’s family and safer routes for children travelling to schools and madrassas.

The district administration has assured residents that an operation against stray dogs will be launched immediately to help prevent similar incidents in the future.