A 55-year-old man named Karunakaran was tragically killed on Tuesday after being attacked by a Pitbull dog in the Jafferkhanpet neighbourhood of Chennai. The dog, owned by a local woman named Poongodi, was reportedly unleashed at the time of the incident and bit Karunakaran multiple times, including on his leg and genital area, causing fatal injuries.

The victim, who worked as a cook and had been coping with a serious leg injury from an accident six months ago, was sitting outside his home after returning from work with a friend when the attack occurred. Despite efforts by neighbours to rescue him and rush him to KK Nagar Government Hospital, Karunakaran succumbed to his wounds.

Police said the dog also bit its owner during the struggle to control it. Poongodi is currently hospitalised for treatment of bite injuries, and authorities have confirmed that she will be taken into custody once discharged. A senior police officer told NDTV, “The dog mauled the neighbour, none could overpower it and the man died on the spot.” The police are probing whether the dog was licensed and vaccinated as required.

Local residents had expressed ongoing concerns about the aggressive nature of the Pitbull and had repeatedly urged the owner to relocate the animal, citing safety risks in the congested lane. However, their requests went unheeded.

Dog Captured for Observation

Veterinary officials later captured the dog and placed it under observation as the police investigate the attack, including reviewing CCTV footage from the area to piece together how events unfolded. The deceased’s body has been sent to KK Nagar ESI Hospital for an autopsy.

This fatal attack is part of a worrying trend in Chennai involving dog-related injuries. Earlier this month, a seven-year-old girl was seriously mauled by a Pitbull owned by her landlord, suffering extensive facial injuries. The girl’s father, Raja, described the assault, “The dog was quiet but suddenly grabbed my daughter’s face. I had to jump in and open its jaws to save my child. But her face is full of injuries. Doctors are saying that it might take two years to heal. Doctors say that she will require plastic surgery and might take two years to heal. Police have taken my complaint,” he said. The dog was captured and handed over to the city’s animal shelter, and the landlord was booked under relevant legal provisions.

In light of increasing dog attacks, the Chennai Corporation is considering stricter regulations, including compulsory muzzling of aggressive dog breeds in public spaces. The recent Supreme Court directive ordering Delhi authorities to capture and shelter stray dogs has also intensified discussions around managing animal safety and public welfare.

Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the law, and the investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing.