In an ironic twist, a street play against stray dog menace turned nasty when an artiste was bitten by a dog during the performance at Mayyil Kandankai in Kannur, Kerala, on (October 6, 2025) Sunday night.
The incident occurred around 8 p.m. during the one act play Pekkolam staged by the Krishnapillai library at Kandakaiparamba. Theatre activist P. Radhakrishnan, a native of Kandakai, sustained injuries to his hands and legs after being attacked by a dog that entered the stage.
Debate rages in Kerala over stray dog control as rabies takes a toll on lower-income groups
Attack after barking sound effect
According to eyewitnesses, the attack happened when a barking sound effect was played through the microphone, triggering a pack of dogs nearby. Mistaking it for part of the act, the audience initially continued watching until organisers rushed to Radhakrishnan’s aid.
