As Dog Attacks Spiral Out Of Control, Kerala Seeks SC Nod To Kill Rabid-Infected, Violent Strays

Amid an increase in the number of dog attacks on humans and strays getting infected with rabies, the Kerala Government has decided to seek permission from the Supreme Court to kill violent and infected canines.

Last week the Supreme Court, while hearing a petition filed by the Animal Welfare Board of India, challenging a 2006 judgment of the Kerala High Court which empowered local self-government institutions to kill stray dogs had directed the government to find a solution to address the stray dog issue menace and balance the same with animal rights.

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Senior advocate V Giri, appearing for the Kerala government, argued that the situation was very grave and requested allowing the destruction of dangerous dogs as per the Municipal and Panchayat laws.

Vaccination drive for stray dogs

On Tuesday Minister for local self-governments, M B Rajesh said that the state will conduct a massive vaccination drive for vaccinating stray dogs. The drive will be conducted from 20 September to 20 October 2022.

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"This will be conducted in association with Kerala Veterinary University. The University will give special training to volunteers and kudumbasree workers. The government will allocate money to block panchayats, municipal corporations and panchayats to take special vehicles for vaccination on a rent basis," he said

Don't dump food waste

The minister also said that they are also looking at the possibility of giving oral vaccination to dogs through food and also a meeting will be held with hotels, Restaurant associations, meat merchants, and auditoriums to ensure that waste is disposed of properly.

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Seven rabies deaths in four months

This comes as there is growing public anger in Kerala over the recent spike in stray dog attacks and deaths from rabies.

A total of seven people have died in Kerala from rabies in the past four months.

Last week alone two bikers were killed in two accidents involving stray dogs.

Several dogs and other domestic animals have also been killed in stray attacks.

Stray dogs found dead

Amid the growing anger, there are also reports of stray dogs being found dead in different places, allegedly killed by locals.

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On Monday, more than a dozen stray dogs were found dead allegedly due to poisoning in some areas of Kottayam district.

Locals buried the bodies of the strays but a case was registered later in the evening based on a complaint by a person alleging that his pet dogs were among those which were poisoned by some miscreants.

On Wednesday a stray dog was found dead in Changanassery in Kottayam.

A survey by the animal husbandry department said that there were around 2.8 lakh stray dogs in Kerala.

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