After woman’s death, Kerala to ask local bodies to cull feral dogs

Against the backdrop of stray dogs mauling a 65-year-old woman to death at a beach near Thiruvananthapuram.

Against the backdrop of stray dogs mauling a 65-year-old woman to death at a beach near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala government on Tuesday said it would issue an order to local self-government bodies to cull feral dogs that posed a threat to the public.

Addressing a meet-the-press programme organised by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club along with Mayor V.K. Prasanth, Minister for Local Administration K.T. Jaleel said the Principal Secretary-Local Administration has been directed to issue the order.

Local bodies can no longer shirk the responsibility of culling dogs that posed a threat to the public fearing legal action.

Birth control

Directions have been given to the local governments to apportion 10 per cent of the plan funds under the People’s Plan Campaign for animal birth control programmes, and to address the menace of feral dogs.

Local governments can use funds at their disposal for the purpose, he said. It has been proposed to set one animal sterilisation unit each for three block panchayats. Considering the shortage of veterinary surgeons, the government is planning to seek the services of final semester veterinary students to launch the drive against feral dogs.

Mr. Jaleel also said dumping of food waste in public places from houses and eateries should be contained. Hotels and fast food joints should have their own refuse management system, he said.