āMy boys were innocent. I wanted them to study and not struggle like us… to have a better life. All that is gone.ā For 30-year-old Sushma, losing her two young sons to a dog attack this week has left her shattered.
It was only last year in July that she had shifted to a small basti in Ruchi Vihar, Vasant Kunj, with her three sons ā Ansh (9), Anand (7) and Aditya (5). She found work at a parlour in Mahipalpur village and sent her children to a nearby MCD school. Anand was in Class II and Aditya in kindergarten.
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Anand and Aditya were attacked by dogs, on Friday and Sunday, and died of injuries. Sushma has now left the area for Mahipalpur with Ansh.
Speaking to The Indian Express, she said: āI am still in shock. We have been here for months and lived right next to the jungle. The dogs never hurt anyone. Why have they become this violent? I want strict action… My husband doesnāt live with us and I am the sole breadwinner. My boys were only going to play outside and were close to our house. How could this happen?ā
Her relatives, who also live in Ruchi Vihar, alleged that the MCD took no action on their complaints.
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Their cousin Sucharita alleged, āThe boys were the youngest in the family. Two days back, Anand died after he was attacked by dogs. We kept looking for him but couldnāt find him. Later, we found his body. We were all busy with his last rites when the same happened with Aditya. We are scared and angry. Why didnāt the authorities do something to help us?ā
āAditya was with our cousin, Chandan, when 5-6 dogs attacked him. He was badly injured and died before he could reach the hospital. We want all the dogs to be removed. We have already lost two from our family,ā she added.
Locals also alleged that a group of 15-20 dogs, that have been living in the jungle area for years, recently turned āaggressiveā towards other animals and residents. Chandan said, āNobody listened to us. We had demanded action against the dogs. They got hold of Aditya… We were only going to relieve ourselves and didnāt know this would happen.ā
The area councillor and MCD PRO did not respond to calls and messages seeking comment. The Mayor could not be contacted.
On Friday and Sunday morning, Anand (top) and Aditya were attacked by dogs and died of injuries (Express Photo) 
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