Muzhappilangad, Kerala – In a tragic incident, authorities in Kerala have reported the death of an eleven-year-old boy in what is believed to be a stray dog attack. The incident occurred in Muzhappilangad town in the district, according to the news agency ANI.
Local police, quoted by ANI, stated that the boy, identified as Nihal, had left his house on Sunday evening but failed to return. Concerned family members and neighbors initiated a search for him. After some time, the boy’s lifeless body was discovered at approximately 8 pm in Muzhappilangad town.
A police officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, revealed, “The child’s body exhibited multiple injury marks consistent with an animal bite.” The officer further disclosed, “He was unconscious and immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. Tragically, the doctors pronounced him brought dead upon arrival.”
Authorities have since transferred the boy’s body to the mortuary as police commence their investigations into the incident.
This unfortunate event sheds light on the recurring issue of stray dog attacks in Kerala. Just last year, another minor, aged twelve, lost their life due to a similar attack in Kottayam. The rising number of such incidents has prompted discussions on how to address the growing problem of stray dogs.
President Kerala Congress — K Sudha Karan — in a tweet on Monday morning alleged that the left party government gave a vague response to his inquiry about the “stray dog menace”. “Deeply saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Nausad’s son Nihal in a stray dog attack in Kettilakathu, Kannur. Despite my inquiry about the stray dog menace in Lok Sabha, Govt provided a vague response, and unfortunately, the issue remains unresolved in Kerala. Om shanti!” he tweeted.
Deeply saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Nausad's son Nihal in a stray dog attack in Kettilakathu, Kannur. Despite my inquiry about the stray dog menace in Lok Sabha, Govt provided a vague response, and unfortunately, the issue remains unresolved in Kerala. Om shanti! pic.twitter.com/KLqZhBfuep
— K Sudhakaran (@SudhakaranINC) June 12, 2023
In response to the menace, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized the need for a scientific approach rather than resorting to killing the animals. He acknowledged that a more sustainable and humane solution is required to combat the issue effectively.
Unfortunately, incidents of dog attacks resulting in fatalities have become alarmingly frequent across the country in recent years. In May of this year, a pit bull attacked and killed a nine-year-old girl who was playing outside her house in Meerut city. Additionally, in March, two siblings aged seven and five were tragically killed in separate incidents allegedly caused by stray dogs in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area.
These distressing occurrences underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the issue of stray dog attacks. The safety of children and communities must be prioritized, and efforts should be made to find sustainable solutions that protect both humans and animals alike.
