Nonagenarian killed in stray dog attack in Kerala

The victim, Raghavan, was mauled by stray dogs while he was sleeping at the veranda of his house at evening. Though he was rushed to the Medical College Hospital, he succumbed to the injuries. Raghavan had deep injuries in face, head and leg, hospital sources said. Neighbours said, the dogs managed to drag the frail nonagenarian a few meters before his loud cries brought the family members to his rescue. Two months ago, a 65-year-old woman was mauled to death by stray dogs at Pulluvila beach near Poovar in Thiruvanthapuram.  Though the civic authorities came up with several programmes to control stray dog menace, the stringent animal protection laws came in its way. In another incident, a foreigner was also attacked by stray dogs in this district. 

In Kozhikode district, Fathima, daughter of Rasheed of Poolakkadavu, was attacked while she was playing in front of her house. Meanwhile, Local Administration Ministe, Jaleel condemned Union Women and Child Welfare Minister Menaka Gandhi’s statement that KAAPA (Kerala Antisocial Activities (Prevention) Act, should be invoked against people illegally killing street dogs.  Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president, V M Sudheeran also strongly condemned the statement of the union minister. Industrialist and philanthropist Kochouseph Chittilappilly,  who has become the face of the anti-stray dog brigade in the State,  came down heavily on Maneka Gandhi for her stand on stray dogs. “See the poignant situation of 90-year-old Raghavan, who was attacked by a pack of stray dogs at his residence in Varkala. He was sleeping in the verandah of his house early morning when he was attacked,’’ he posted in his Facebook page.