BARABANKI, Uttar Pradesh. In a tragic and shocking incident, 72-year-old Dayaram Rawat, a kind-hearted villager who fed stray dogs daily, was mauled to death by the very animals he cared for.
The incident occurred on Sunday in the Haidergarh area, leaving the community in grief and raising urgent questions about the safety of humans in rural areas where stray dogs roam freely.
Villagers found Rawat crying for help in the fields, as a pack of dogs dragged him away from his home and attacked him viciously.
Locals immediately intervened, chased the dogs away, and rushed him to a local health facility. He was later referred to Lucknow for treatment, but succumbed to his injuries on Monday evening.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rajesh Vishkarma reported that Rawat lived in a hut about 300 meters from the main village, amid fields.
“His body was found at a distance from the cot where he usually slept outside. This indicates that the dogs dragged him, displaying a level of aggression and coordination that is deeply disturbing,” he said.
Despite his daily kindness—feeding the dogs and sleeping near them—Rawat’s benevolence was met with a fatal attack, highlighting the lethal potential of stray dogs in rural settings.
Government Measures and the Need for Immediate Action
Following a recent Supreme Court revision on stray-dog management, the Yogi Adityanath government issued fresh directives, including:
- Creation of designated feeding zones away from residential areas
- Surveys to identify aggressive dogs across panchayats
- Steps to minimize human-animal conflict in villages
The government also recently announced that dogs that bite more than twice could face “life imprisonment” in containment facilities, a measure aimed at preventing repeated attacks. However, the Barabanki incident proves that swift enforcement is critical to prevent such lethal incidents in the future.
Expert Insight: Understanding the Behavior of Stray Dogs
Animal behaviorists explain that even apparently friendly stray dogs can develop predatory instincts, especially if they are part of a pack.
Dr. Ramesh Chaturvedi, a leading animal behavior expert, said: Stray dogs are highly territorial and can become aggressive when they perceive humans as threats or when their pack hierarchy is challenged.
Feeding alone does not guarantee loyalty or safety. When several dogs coordinate an attack, it can be extremely dangerous, even for healthy adults.”
Experts also caution that elderly individuals and children are the most vulnerable in rural areas, as stray dogs can easily target them if provoked—or even unprovoked—especially if the pack has a history of aggression.
The Case for Permanent Confinement
The attack on Rawat clearly demonstrates lethal coordination and aggression. These dogs have shown they cannot coexist safely with humans in residential or field areas.
Authorities must confine the animals involved indefinitely, effectively enforcing “life imprisonment” to prevent any future attacks. The consequences of hesitation or laxity could be catastrophic.
A Grim Warning to Rural Communities
Rawat’s death is a stark reminder that compassion alone is not enough to ensure safety. While feeding and caring for stray animals is commendable, villagers must also recognize the inherent risk of predatory behavior, particularly among packs of aggressive strays.
Local bodies and panchayat officials must act decisively: identify, track, and contain aggressive dogs, while educating communities on how to minimize human-animal conflicts.
Rawat’s tragic end underscores the urgency of preventive action before another life is lost.
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