CHENNAI: A 48-year-old man died within half an hour of being mauled by a pet pitbull at Kumaran Nagar near Jafferkhanpet, Chennai, on Tuesday afternoon. The dog’s owner, who also sustained injuries to her hand and leg while trying to restrain the dog, is undergoing treatment at a government hospital. She has been booked for causing death by negligence, sources said.
The deceased has been identified as Karunakaran (48), a daily wage labourer residing at VSM Garden Street in Jafferkhanpet, where the dog’s owner, Poongodi, also resided with her four children. Corporation officials said the incident happened around 3 pm when Karunakaran was on his way to a common toilet in the narrow lane comprising around seven houses. As he passed Poongodi’s house to reach the toilet, her pitbull ran loose and attacked him on his right thigh and private parts.
While Poongodi attempted to intervene, she too was injured badly and was later rescued by neighbours. Karunakaran succumbed to heavy blood loss within half an hour of the attack. His body was then sent to KK Nagar GH for autopsy, while Poongodi was admitted to the same hospital, sources said.
Local sources said that the woman had got the dog a year ago for guarding her house.
Following the incident, officials, including the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) veterinary officer and Kodambakkam zonal officer, visited the spot. The pitbull was seized and shifted to GCC’s Kannamapet ABC pound, where it will be kept in isolation until further instructions from animal welfare board, the GCC veterinary officer said.
Police have registered a case against Poongodi under BNS Sections 106 (causing death by negligence) and 291 (negligent conduct concerning animals).
It is to be noted that pitbulls are among the list of 23 ‘dangerous breeds’ whose imports, sale and breeding were banned by the centre. The Union Ministry of Animal Husbandry had written to the states in 2024, asking the chief secretaries to enforce the ban. However, the Madras HC directed an interim stay.
Early in August, in a similar incident, a minor girl suffered injuries after she was attacked by her houseowner’s pitbull near Tondiarpet.