MERSING: The presence of stray dogs in Mersing is increasingly troubling residents in the district after a young girl was attacked by one of the canines recently.
Nur Huwaidah Umayrah Abdullah, 10, sustained injuries to her face, shoulder and left knee after falling into a drain while being chased by one of the strays in the Endau area here.
Her mother, Izzaidah Ibrahim, 35, said the incident occurred at 5.25pm on Tuesday (Dec 10) when Nur Huwaidah Umayrah was cycling home on Jalan Dato Mohd Ali here.
According to Izzaidah, a stray dog suddenly began chasing Nur Huwaidah Umayrah and in a panic, she tried to cycle faster but fell into a drain.
"Umay (Nur Huwaidah Umayrah) was lucky because several people helped to chase the dog away," she told reporters when met at her home on Friday (Dec 13).
Izzaidah said her daughter received treatment at a nearby clinic.
She also lodged a police report and filed a complaint with the local authority.
However, she said the presence of stray dogs is not a new issue.
She claimed traps had been set up in known hotspots, but the dogs were released by irresponsible individuals.
"Kids here can no longer freely cycle to school out of fear. Previously, one of Umay's friends was chased and had to hide in a drain as she was terrified by the stray.
A Bernama survey at the location found over ten stray dogs roaming around streets, fields, residential areas and government quarters. – Bernama
