Sign in

Kerala: Elderly woman killed, specially abled son critical in stray dog attack

The elderly woman, who was bedridden for the past few years, was attacked by the solitary stray dog which managed to enter her tile-roofed single storey-home around 6pm on Thursday

Published on: Mar 13, 2026 3:05 PM IST
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

An 84-year-old bedridden woman was killed while her 60-year-old specially abled son was grievously injured in a stray dog attack at their home in Vellarakkad near Erumapetty in Kerala’s Thrissur district.

The stray dog was later caught and beaten to death by the locals later that night. (Representative file photo)
The stray dog was later caught and beaten to death by the locals later that night. (Representative file photo)

The elderly woman, who was bedridden for the past few years, was attacked by the solitary stray dog which managed to enter her tile-roofed single storey-home around 6pm on Thursday, former panchayat ward member Abhilash said.

“One of her three sons, who lived nearby, discovered her in an extremely bad condition where her face was completely disfigured in the stray dog attack. She succumbed to injuries before being ferried to the hospital,” said the former ward member.

The stray dog is learnt to have entered the home through the front door which was reportedly left open. It was later caught and beaten to death by the locals later that night.

“The woman has two differently-abled sons, one of whom is currently hospitalised following the attack by the same dog. He was also bedridden. He is in a critical condition right now,” Abhilash said. The dog, he added, also bit a wiring labourer who has also been hospitalised.

Also Read: Panchkula stray dog menace spirals despite SC orders

“Stray dog attacks are a regular feature here in Kadangode panchayat. Government officials have done nothing to stop the menace. There are at least 500 dogs on the roads within the panchayat. At least 100 people have been bitten in the last five years,” he added.

The panchayat officials and locals have written numerous complaints to the district collector regarding the threat of stray dogs, he pointed out, but there has been no effective response.

A response is awaited from the district administration and the copy will be updated whenever it is received.

  • Vishnu Varma
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Vishnu Varma

    Vishnu Varma is Assistant Editor and reports from Kerala for the Hindustan Times. He has 10 years of experience writing for print and digital platforms and has worked at The New York Times, NDTV and The Indian Express in the past. He specialises in longform reportage at the intersections of politics, crime, social commentary and environment.Read More

Check India news real-time updates, latest news from India and PM Modi address LIVE