Fear grips residents in Bengaluru's Kodigehalli after fatal stray dog attack

Bengaluru: The fatal mauling of a senior citizen by a pack of stray dogs in Kodigehalli on Monday has left the neighbourhood shaken.

Seetappa, a resident of Kempegowda Nagar in Kodigehalli, was found lying injured in a pool of blood early Monday morning around 3 am. Local residents alleged that he was attacked by a pack of at least eight dogs.

When DH visited the area, police and officials were still inspecting the site, intensifying fear among locals.

Many residents said they now avoid walking alone in the early morning hours.

"Everyone is scared after the incident. Children going for early tuitions are especially affected," said Kiran R, a local shopkeeper.

Rathna, a domestic worker, said that she has asked her employers to let her report for work after 6 am. “I used to reach by 5.30 am, but I am too frightened now to walk alone in the dark."

People working night and early morning shifts echoed similar concerns.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) said that it has captured 34 dogs from the area and kept them under observation. But residents and the victim’s family blamed the civic body for not enforcing proper meat waste disposal, which they believe is attracting strays.

"Meat shops dump waste in the open, and the dogs feeding on it have developed a taste for meat. Now, they are attacking humans and cattle,” a resident said.

BBMP Joint Director (Animal Husbandry) T Chandraiah said that feeding dogs meat was not the issue. “The problem lies in how the meat is discarded. Large gatherings of dogs at such spots raise the chances of attacks,” he said.

Another official added that the BBMP plans to allow community dog feeding to reduce aggression. “Dogs are more likely to attack when starved,” the official said.

The BBMP is awaiting the victim’s postmortem report, expected by August 6.

Rise in attacks 

A child was bitten near Bommasandra Lake on Wednesday.

In another case, a BBMP revenue officer suffered a serious injury to the thighs after a dog attack in Yeshwantpur on Thursday.