Watch: Stray dogs save mentally ill woman from sexual assault attempt in Coimbatore

Stray dogs intervened to save a mentally ill woman from an alleged assault

COIMBATORE: A pack of stray dogs saved a mentally ill woman from an alleged sexual assault attempt by an intoxicated youth near Thudiyalur in Coimbatore during the early hours of Friday. The entire incident was captured on CCTV, and police have arrested the suspect.The incident took place around 2 am near the railway overbridge in the NGGO Colony-Ashokapuram area near Thudiyalur. A mentally ill woman, who routinely stays in the area, was sitting by the roadside when a youth, allegedly intoxicated, approached her.According to CCTV footage, two stray dogs that stay near the woman began barking continuously as the youth approached. The youth asked the woman if the dogs belonged to her. The woman reportedly replied that he should throw a stone to scare them away.The youth threw a stone, driving the dogs back a few paces, but the animals continued to stay nearby and bark at him.Taking advantage of the isolated spot, the intoxicated youth allegedly attempted to sexually assault the woman. When she began screaming for help, one of the stray dogs immediately lunged at the assailant.The dogs barked furiously, bit the attacker and grabbed his legs, pulling him away from the woman.Overpowered by the animals, the youth abandoned his attempt and fled the scene, with the dogs chasing him away. Thudiyalur police identified and arrested the suspect.