Stray dog menace returns with alarming intensity in Thrissur

Thrissur district is once again witnessing a sharp rise in stray dog attacks, with packs of dogs roaming freely on major roads and residential areas, posing a serious threat not only to pedestrians and two-wheeler riders but even to people inside their homes.

The growing menace came into sharp focus on Thursday evening when a shocking incident shook the district. An 82-year-old bed-ridden woman was mauled to death by a stray dog that entered her house at Vellarakkad. The victim was Kizhakkepurakkal Karthyayani.

Her son Devadas (56), who was also inside the house, suffered serious injuries in the attack.

According to relatives, Karthyayani and her ailing son were alone at home when the incident occurred. Her another son Manikandan arrived at the house in the evening carrying food for them and found a dog biting and dragging Devadas by the leg. Karthyayani was lying unconscious nearby with critical wounds all over her body.

Local residents rushed the two to Thrissur Medical College Hospital, but Karthyayani succumbed to her injuries.

It is suspected that the same dog had attacked several other people and animals in the nearby area earlier. The aggressive stray dog was later captured by local residents on Friday morning after it continued to create panic in the neighbourhood.

In another recent incident, a young man reportedly collapsed and died after running in fear on seeing a dog.

Residents say stray dogs are now frequently seen roaming in large numbers across key parts of the city including the Corporation area, Sakthan Market and Kizhakkekotta, apart from several rural pockets of the district.

Worst-affected

Early morning workers such as newspaper distributors and milk vendors are among the worst affected. School students too step out onto the roads each day with fear as dog packs often chase pedestrians and two-wheelers.

The situation has been particularly worrying in Kodungallur, where more than 15 people were reportedly bitten by dogs in January and February alone.

Recent months have also witnessed a series of disturbing incidents linked to stray dogs. At the Puthur Zoological Park, ten deer were killed by dogs that entered the premises a couple of months back. In another shocking case, a homemaker lost part of her ear when she was attacked by a dog while collecting grass. Motorists have also complained of dogs chasing vehicles, leading to frequent accidents.

Despite several announcements and schemes by the Corporation authorities at different times to address the stray dog problem, residents say little progress has been made on the ground.

Residents’ associations and members of the public have now demanded urgent and practical action from the local bodies and the district administration, stressing that mere promises are not enough. They insist that effective measures ensuring the safety of people must be implemented immediately before more lives are lost.