The start of a turf war of sorts can be sniffed on the beaches of Kovalam, with locals and hoteliers complaining of a growing menace from stray dogs and the canines continuing to roam the beaches.
The support from Street Dog Watch Association, a non-governmental organisation, has seen flex boards, with different tips and awareness messages on tackling and handling of dogs on the beach, coming up all along the Eve’s Beach.
Tips, ranging from how to identify dogs that have been vaccinated for rabies and not to feed the dogs near restaurants to caution about approaching dogs with puppies, have been put up as part of the awareness campaign, according to the association’s spokesperson Mary Muscroft.
The display boards have two telephone numbers as well, including Ms. Muscroft’s, to contact in case of any emergency related to the dogs on the beach.
“The District Tourism Promotion Council is supporting us. We are sterilizing 10 dogs every week and giving rabies vaccinations as well,” she told The Hindu , adding that people were calling every now and then, seeking help for dogs in the area.
The support for the dogs, however, has not gone down too well with local hoteliers, who say the dogs have turned dangerous for everyone reaching the beach.
“There are several instances of the dogs chasing people, including tourists, who stroll on the beach after 10 p.m. They also follow tourists and enter restaurants. The Corporation has done little to clear the beach of the stray dogs,” says Satheesh Kumar, owner of the Kingfisher Restaurant on Eve’s Beach.
Other shop owners point out recent instances of foreign tourists being bitten by stray dogs, a point that is contested by Ms. Muscroft.
“Ignore them, and they will ignore you. Threaten them with stones and they get frightened. This is one point we are trying to drive home through the display boards, which will be put up at other beaches too from next season,” she adds.
