Lucknow, May 27: Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna stoked a controversy on being asked about the spree of deaths caused in Sitapur region due to attack by stray dogs. Khanna said neither the government, nor the administration could be held responsible for the action of an animal.

If an animal ventures anywhere and bites someone, then how could the government and administration get involved in this, he said while speaking to news agency ANI.

In the past 4 months, 14 children have been killed in by stray dogs in villages falling under Khairabad taluka of Sitapur district. The most recent casualties were reported on May 1, when two girls - Shamli (11) and Komal (12) and a boy named Khalid (12) - were fatally bitten by the dogs.

Angered by the lack of steps being taken by the administration, the locals have resorted to their own methods to exterminate the canines. At least three dogs have been gunned down so far.

Khanna's remarks have been blasted as "insensitive" by the Opposition. The 65-year-old legislator from Shahjahanpur is a senior Minister in the Yogi government, heading the portfolios of Parliamentary Affairs, Urban Development, Overall Urban Development, Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 27, 2018 10:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).