NHRC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Stray Dog Attack Death of Eight-Year-Old Girl in Punjab

New Delhi, June 16, 2026: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report regarding the tragic death of an eight-year-old girl who was allegedly mauled by a pack of stray dogs in Punjab’s Rupnagar district.

According to reports, the incident occurred on June 10, 2026, when the child was playing outside her house and was suddenly attacked by stray dogs. Local residents reportedly rushed to her aid and transported her towards the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh for treatment. However, she succumbed to her injuries on the way to the hospital.

Taking note of the incident, the NHRC observed that the contents of the media report, if found to be true, raise serious concerns regarding the violation of human rights. The Commission has accordingly issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of Punjab, seeking a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.

The Commission has directed that the report should include information on the actions taken by the concerned authorities in response to the incident.

The victim reportedly belonged to an economically vulnerable family. Her father passed away approximately four years ago, while her mother earns a livelihood as a domestic worker. The incident has drawn attention to the growing concerns surrounding stray dog attacks and public safety in residential areas.

The NHRC’s intervention is expected to examine the circumstances leading to the tragedy and assess the measures taken by local authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Further details are awaited as the Punjab government prepares its response to the Commission’s notice.