Udala (Mayurbhanj): In a remarkable display of loyalty and sacrifice, a village stray dog named Kali gave up her life while protecting over 30 schoolchildren from a venomous snake in Dihirakul village under Udala block in Mayurbhanj district.
According to villagers, the incident occurred on Friday morning when students of Shri Jagannath Shishu Vidya Mandir were seated outside the school premises for their classes. Kali, a black stray dog who had long been cared for by the villagers, was present nearby.
Sensing danger, Kali spotted a venomous snake approaching the children from near a well. Without hesitation, the dog intervened and attacked the snake, preventing it from reaching the students. In the ensuing struggle, Kali managed to kill the snake but was bitten on the mouth and succumbed to the venom shortly after.
The act is believed to have saved the lives of all the children present.
The incident has left the village in deep grief. In a rare gesture of respect, residents conducted Kali’s last rites with full honours. Her body was draped in white cloth and adorned with flower garlands before being taken in a procession across the village. She was later buried in a designated spot, with villagers paying homage to what they described as an extraordinary act of bravery and devotion.
Locals said Kali had been part of the village for several years and was deeply attached to the community. Her sacrifice, they added, would be remembered as a symbol of unconditional loyalty and courage.
