THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government is set to impose a Rs 10,000 penalty for abandoning pet dogs, keeping them without licences and operating illegal breeding centres or pet shops without valid licences. The move comes even as the government struggles to comply with the Supreme Court’s directive to remove stray dogs from public places due to a severe shortage of shelters.
Racing against the August 7 deadline, the state is finalising a comprehensive stray dog management action plan to be submitted before the Kerala High Court.
As per estimates with the local self-government department (LSGD) and animal husbandry department, Kerala has around 8 lakh pet dogs and around 4 lakh stray dogs. The state has decided to tighten regulations on pet ownership and breeding as abandoned pet dogs contribute significantly to the population of aggressive strays.
LSGD principal director Divya S Iyer told TNIE that the state has already forwarded the Supreme Court’s directives to all districts, local bodies and the departments concerned, and is now compiling compliance reports while simultaneously preparing a comprehensive action plan.
“We are formulating a stray dog management action plan based on four key pillars, with euthanasia being considered only as a measure of last resort when every other intervention fails,” she said.
The action plan focuses on pet dog management, making licensing mandatory, strengthening vaccination coverage, regulating pet shops and breeders, and introducing stringent action against pet abandonment.
“Pet dog abandonment is one of the biggest contributors to aggressive stray dogs. When pet dogs are abandoned, they are unable to survive on the streets and often become involved in territorial conflicts, making them aggressive,” Divya said.
Lack of dog shelters the biggest hurdle for Kerala
The proposed amendments to the Kerala Municipality Act and Kerala Panchayat Raj Act prescribe a Rs 10,000 fine for abandoning pet dogs, keeping unlicensed pets, and operating breeding centres or pet shops without licences. Draft rules on pet licensing and breeding are with the government. Sources said a final decision will be taken at a meeting convened by the LSGD minister this week.
The second pillar of the action plan focuses on stray dog management, including scientific identification of hotspots, vaccination drives, regulated feeding zones in accordance with SC’s directives and Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, and improved monitoring.
The government is also attempting to bridge gaps in sterilisation infrastructure. While the SC has directed every district to have at least one ABC centre, Kerala lacks permanent facilities in some districts.
The state is now planning to procure at least three more mobile ABC units, which can be deployed in districts lacking permanent facilities.The biggest hurdle, however, remains the lack of shelters. Though the SC has directed states to remove stray dogs from public places, local bodies have found it difficult to comply as they lack land, trained personnel and shelter infrastructure.
The Kerala HC has directed the state to file its action plan by August 7. The HC will forward the compliance report to the SC before November 17, ahead of latter’s next hearing.