Rafeeque, 52, from Thoppumpady, was admitted to Government Maharaja’s Taluk Hospital in West Kochi on December 31 with a chest infection. The next morning, outside the hospital's old casualty block, a pack of stray dogs attacked him. During the chaos, he fell and hurt his back and head. This was not the first incident; earlier, a cleaning staff member was bitten by a stray dog on hospital grounds. The hospital premises remain open to stray dogs because the compound wall was demolished years ago and never rebuilt. Karuvelippady division councillor Kavitha Harikumar said, “I have asked the hospital superintendent to take immediate steps to build a compound wall and restrict access. The superintendent in turn said that it was the responsibility of the Corporation following which I have taken up the matter with the Mayor.” She emphasized that unlike usual practice, stray dogs caught and vaccinated near the hospital cannot be released there again for safety reasons. She suggested moving them to shelters. The hospital's lack of a boundary wall has turned it into a refuge for stray dogs roaming in large numbers. The hospital authorities declined to comment on the incidents. Jasmine Asharaf, Rafeeque's sister, questioned the hospital's apathy towards safety at a facility that serves many poor people. A major cleaning drive is planned at the hospital next week.