In a tragic incident in Kenganayakanpalayam village in Tirupur South taluk near Muthalipalayam, eight goats were found dead and six were critically injured in a stray dog attack on Saturday morning. The attack occurred on a farm owned by Saraswathi, who owns over 30 goats. She had kept the animals in a shed overnight. Upon arrival in the morning, she discovered eight dead goats and six others with severe injuries. Farmers in the area expressed concern that the injured animals are unlikely to survive for more than a few days.
Officials inspect site
Officials from the animal husbandry department visited the spot, inspected the shed, and held discussions with the affected farmer. This latest incident brings the total number of goats killed in stray dog attacks in the district to 20 in just the past two days, triggering widespread protests by farmers. In a similar attack in a village near Vellakovil on Thursday night, eight goats were killed by a pack of stray dogs, and one goat was reported missing. Four goats that were injured in that attack later succumbed to their injuries.
Farmers demand action
P Velusamy, president of the PAP water conservation association, stated that repeated petitions seeking action to control stray dogs have not yielded results. This prompted farmers to meet with Animal Husbandry Minister S Kamali on Saturday. During the meeting, farmers sought immediate compensation and urgent control measures. In their representation, they demanded a permanent government order to ensure compensation for cattle losses until the stray dog menace is brought under control.
Farmers also flagged the inadequacy of existing relief, noting that goats are valued between Rs 12,000 and Rs 30,000 in the market, while the current compensation of Rs 6,000 is insufficient. They demanded that compensation be fixed at market value and disbursed without delay.
Minister assures action
Minister Kamali assured farmers that pending compensation would be released soon and that future relief would be based on market value as assessed by veterinary doctors. She also stated that she had taken up the issue with the district collector and pressed for steps to curb stray dog attacks.
Velusamy highlighted that Tirupur district has nearly seven lakh goats and that attacks over the past three years have caused recurring losses. Farmers have also complained to police about stray dogs allegedly abandoned from urban areas in Kangayam and Vellakovil.
