A 90-year-old man who was attacked by a group of stray dogs at his residence in Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram district on Wednesday succumbed to his injuries.
Charuvila Veetil Raghavan, who was sitting in the verandah of his house, was attacked in the wee hours of Wednesday, at around 4.30am.
According to reports, Raghavan, who lives with his daughter and son-in-law, sustained injuries on his face, head, legs and arms. He was rushed to Taluk hospital and was later taken to Medical College hospital, where he was placed on ventilator.
He however had a cardiac arrest at 1.20 pm and a second one at 2.30 pm. The Medical College said that Raghavan passed away at 2.55 pm. Though specialists from various departments including preventive clinic, plastic surgery, ophthamology and nuero surgery had treated him, but they could not save Raghavan.
Raghavan’s relative Kumar told journalists that a neighbour who had stepped out to buy milk saw the stray dogs attacking Raghavan.
Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview to Asianet News, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi on Wednesday said that the DGP must make sure that stray dogs in the state are not attacked and that strict action be taken against people who kill stray dogs. She said that people who kill stray dogs are habitual offenders and demanded that they be charged under KAAPA.
Maneka asserted that the Kerala government must take measures to set up ABC (animal birth control) units from November 1, to help eradicate the stray dog issue in a year.
Responding to the minister’s comments, Ernakulam-based businessman Kochouseph Chittilappilly-who has been active in organizing and supporting several stray dog killing drives in the state-lashed out at the minister, accusing her of protecting animals instead of protecting the people.
“What’s her portfolio? Then why is she speaking in favour of the dogs, even when they attack defenseless public?” Chittilappilly retorted.
Saying that he will continue to support the killing of stray dogs, Chittilappilly said that killing of dangerous dogs is not illegal and said that KAAPA cannot be slapped on him, as he does not have criminal cases against him, but only a petty case. He added, “I don’t understand how sterilization will help. The dogs do not attack people using their genitals, but using their tooth. How will that be solved by sterilizing them?”
This is the fifth death in Kerala this year following a stray dog attack. In August, a 65-year-old woman was mauled to death near Kovalam, a popular tourist destination south of the capital city.
