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Thursday, Sep 09, 2010
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Rabid wolf goes berserk

Staff Reporter

Hacked to death after it attacks 36 in Chittoor, Anantapur

TIRUPATI: A wolf ran amok in several villages lying on the fringe of forests bordering Chittoor and Anantapur districts, creating terror among the people.

Afflicted by rabies, the wolf was believed to be in a dazed condition during the attack that lasted three hours. In all, 36 persons sustained injuries of varying degrees ranging from minor scratches to serious wounds.

The animal charged into the villages of Pedda Yeddulavandlapalle, Maturivandlapalle, Poolakuntapalle and Raginepalle of Tanakallu mandal in Anantapur district, attacking those sleeping outside their houses.

Eswarappa, his wife Gayatri and another woman Ramulakka were the first to be attacked, followed by eight more persons. Later, it proceeded towards Peddathippa Samudram mandal of Chittoor district, where it indiscriminately attacked people in Uyyalavaripalle, Kondaiahgaripalle, Thokalavaripalle, Ratnagallu, Buchipalle, Pidumpalle, Budigipalle and Bettakonda.

Those attending to nature's call in the open space near their houses were targeted. As news trickled into the neighbouring villages about the wolf attack, the alert residents lay in wait to defend themselves and kill the beast. When the animal reached Eguvakukkalapalle, the villagers stoned it and later hacked it to death with sickles.

Chief Conservator of Forest (Anantapur Circle) P.V. Padmanabham rushed to the spot, conducted post-mortem and got the animal cremated. It was initially suspected to be a hyena – an animal of almost similar appearance but smaller in size -- while a closer look confirmed it to be a wolf.

The number of persons who sustained injuries has been put at 25 in Chittoor and 11 in Anantapur district. They were admitted to Government hospitals in Tanakallu, Kadiri and Madanapalle. The condition of Chinna Subbanna of Bettakonda was stated to be critical.

Minister for Environment and Forests P. Ramachandra Reddy, who belongs to the region bordering the two districts, called on the injured at Madanapalle hospital and assured financial assistance.

He also directed the forest officials to take steps to prevent recurrence of such attacks.

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