Forest department officials said two spotted deer had come to Kuppamuthupatti Vangalayee Samuthiram village in search of food when stray dogs chased them, pounced on a male and mauled it.
Villagers heard its cries, rescued it and tried to revive it, acting on the advice of forest officials. They then took the animal to a local veterinary doctor. But despite their best efforts to stop the bleeding, it died, officials said.