Karwar: Two foresters attached to Kali Tiger Reserve were attacked by dogs belonging to an accused, who was caught by the guards for possessing an illegal weapon in the Kadagarani section forest area near Tulasigeri of Joida taluk.

According to forest officials, deputy ranger Jagadeesh Masali and forest guard Gurushant were attacked by two dogs. They have been admitted to Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital with severe injuries.

The Forest Department has lodged a complaint in this regard at Joida police station on Saturday and the police are searching for accused Janardhan Damodar Mirashi at Tulasigeri village.

On Friday, both forest staff --Jagadeesh Masali and Gurushant-- were heading to a forest point at Tulasigeri village after getting information about a minor forest fire. On their way, they come across a woman cutting wood and when enquired about her, she told them that she had come to collect firewood and she was going back home. She warned the forest staff not to go inside the forest. But, the staff started heading into deep forest, she alerted her husband Damodar Mirashi, who was with illegal rifle to poach a spotted deer. The forest staff caught him and recovered loaded rifle and arrested him.

Meanwhile, she asked her two hunting dogs to attack the forest staff. The dogs attacked the personnel, leaving them severely injured. Meanwhile, the couple fled the spot. The police are searching for Mirashi from Saturday and there was no clue about him till Sunday evening. Meanwhile, both the forest staffers are recovering in Karwar.