THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The sprawling grounds of Kanakakkunnu and the walkway around the Museum are attracting more number of morning walkers these days. And if you thought that the scenic background is attracting them, you are mistaken. These are the only locations in the city where the health conscious can walk free without the fear of being attacked by stray dogs.
Sasikumar, a resident of Kannammoola, used to walk on the Kannammoola-Medical College Road for the past several years. But, recently, he shifted his routine to the Kanakakkunnu grounds for fear of canine attacks.
‘’The stray dog menace has become intolerable in and around Kannammoola. Several morning walkers were attacked by street dogs. Kanakakkunnu, fortunately, is free of the menace,’’ he said.
Pettah, Medical College, Sasthamangalam, Jagathy and Bakery Junction are only some of the locations infamous for street dog attacks.
Jyothi M, a resident of Jagathy, said she moved to the Museum grounds after she had to opt for a ‘morning run’ once to escape from a barking dog that followed her.
‘’I don’t mind the short drive to reach here. This is a safe place to walk,’’ she said.
Irked by the cool response of the State Government and the City Corporation to its petitions, the Kerala Pedestrians’ Welfare Association has decided to file a PIL in the High Court on the issue, said its secretary K Siva Kumar.
‘’We had earlier submitted memoranda to the Government and the Corporation on the issue. The authorities say that the Central rules in this regard prohibit them from killing stray dogs. But they can’t sit idle like this. They should find some mechanism to solve this problem, which is threatening the free movement of pedestrians,’’ he said.