A 60-year-old man was found dead in a pool of blood after being mauled by a stray dog in Kumpala on the outskirts of the city in the early hours of Friday. The deceased was identified as Dayananda, according to police officials.
Forensic team confirms cause of injuries
Forensic experts who examined the spot and the body confirmed that the multiple injuries on the man’s face and body were consistent with a stray dog attack. Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy stated that the injuries clearly matched those caused by canine bites and tearing.
Police sources said the victim appeared to have been attacked during the pre-dawn hours, and preliminary assessment suggests he might not have been able to call for help or defend himself in time.
Eyewitness accounts support attack theory
Local residents told the police that they had seen a stray dog with blood on its face wandering in the vicinity shortly after the incident. These accounts, combined with forensic findings, led authorities to conclude that the dog was involved in the fatal attack.
The sighting added urgency to the situation, prompting officials to trace and secure the dog to prevent any further incidents or risk to the public.
Dog captured and moved to shelter
As a precautionary step, the municipal dog-catching team caught the suspected stray and shifted it to the Animal Care Trust shelter in Shaktinagar. Officials said the animal will remain under observation while further assessments are conducted.
Animal welfare organisations have been informed, and standard protocol regarding suspected dangerous stray animals is being followed, officials added.
Police investigation underway
The Ullal Police have registered a case and initiated a detailed investigation. Authorities are looking into the circumstances leading to the attack, including whether the dog had a history of aggression or if there were other contributing factors such as the presence of injuries or any prior altercations.
Police are also verifying if CCTV footage from nearby homes or establishments can provide additional clarity on the timeline of events.
Conclusion
The tragic incident has renewed concerns about stray dog management and public safety in peri-urban areas of Mangaluru. Authorities are expected to review safety measures and coordinate with animal welfare groups to prevent similar incidents in the future.