THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Facing mounting public anger over stray dog attacks, the state government is seeking legal opinion on whether limited culling of aggressive and rabid dogs can be allowed.
While the last survey put the total number of stray dogs in the state at around 2.9 lakh, their numbers have increased significantly over the past three years, according to officials. But the state has neither the infrastructure nor the resources to perform more than 18,000 to 20,000 sterilisations per year and hence culling in a limited way is the only way to control the growing stray-dog population, sources said.
The state government’s move to invoke Section 8 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Animal Husbandry Practices and Procedures) Rules, 2023, which allowed euthanasia of animals in special cases was stalled by the High Court.
“The stray-dog population is increasing in an exponential manner and we are helpless as ABC alone will not help control the stray population. We are in a deep crisis and there is no other way but to cull stray dogs in a limited manner until their population is under control. Hence, we are taking legal advice. The idea is to identify aggressive and rabid dogs in every locality and isolate them to protect the public,” a top official told TNIE.
Meanwhile, efforts are in full swing to pilot the mobile portable ABC (animal birth control) unit on a trial basis in Nedumangad municipality. Animal Husbandry Minister J Chinchurani said the unit will become operational this month. “We have identified land to operate the unit and expect to get the centre ready by the end of this month. After assessing its effectiveness, more units will be rolled out across the state, one in each block,” the minister said.
Animal rights groups have already voiced strong opposition, warning that culling would violate existing central norms and rulings by higher courts. They argue that population control can be achieved through intensified ABC programmes, better waste management, and stricter enforcement against abandonment of pets.
“The ABC rules came into effect in 2001, and even after 24 years, the state has been unable to control or manage stray dogs,” said M N Jayachandran, an animal rights activist and former member of the Kerala State Animal Welfare Board. “This is pure negligence and killing of dogs will not end the menace. After a few months, their population will go up again. This has happened at places where such methods were applied.”
Population up
The stray-dog population is increasing in an exponential manner in the state, say officials
The last survey put total number of stray dogs in Kerala at 2.9 lakh (approx). This has increased significantly over the past 3 years