KOTA KINABALU: A teenage boy ended up injured and frightened after he fell while trying to escape a pack of stray dogs near Kampung Sabah Baru in Lahad Datu on Monday (June 16).
The 13-year-old, who was walking home from town, was suddenly chased by several aggressive dogs.
In a desperate attempt to outrun them, he stumbled and fell, suffering injuries to the left side of his face.
He was later taken to hospital for treatment and is now recovering.
Lahad Datu deputy OCPD Supt Jimmy Panyau confirmed that a police report had been lodged following the incident.
“According to the report, the boy was on his way home from Lahad Datu town when he was suddenly chased by a group of stray dogs. He tried to run but fell and injured his face,” he said.
Police view such incidents seriously, especially as they pose a risk to schoolchildren and the wider community.
Authorities have been alerted and are expected to take further action to address the stray dog threat in the area.
The young victim’s case has drawn concern from local residents, many of whom have long complained about the growing number of strays in the area.
One of the most shocking cases occurred on Jan 25, when an elderly unidentified woman was mauled to death by a pack of 11 stray dogs at the Kunak bus terminal.
CCTV footage showed the woman trying to defend herself before being surrounded and viciously attacked.
Her body was found hours later with multiple bite wounds and no clothes left on.
Police classified the case as sudden death, and the victim was believed to be a non-local.
This was, however, not an isolated incident, as in November last year, a two-year-old boy was killed by stray dogs in Kampung Sungai Tohok, Semporna, and in September 2022, a 29-year-old woman was found dead after a suspected dog attack in Kampung Batu, Semporna.
