As the State reels under criticism in the wake of the mass culling of stray dogs, Kerala Cm Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday appealed to his people to not resort to violent measures. He also asserted the fact that beating, poisoning, and tying up canines on the streets will not solve the problem.
Addressing reporters on Friday, the CM declared that the state government will not initiate action to cull stray dogs in the state after multiple reports emerged of the state’s inability to control the mass killing of stray canines, rampant in Kerala.
“Indulging in such acts is unacceptable” -the CM lamented in the backdrop of dogs being poisoned and hanged in public places, causing outrage among animal activists.
Reports claim that as many as 21 deaths due to rabies were reported in the state in 2022, 15 of which did not receive the anti-rabies vaccine (IDRV)and Immunoglobulin (ERIG).
“An expert committee has been appointed to investigate all the deaths in detail”, the CM added.
Kerala, accustomed to the stray dog menace, had earlier been rocked with reports of innocent civilians being attacked by canines. On Monday, a video went viral on social media which showed gory details of a 12-year-old boy from Kozhikode who was brutally attacked by stray dogs while riding a bicycle. Despite sustaining major injuries, the boy, Nooras, survived.
How is the state planning to curb the menace?
“This problem cannot be solved by killing the dogs. Registration of pet dogs will be made mandatory in the state. Once the vaccination of a domestic dog is completed, the respective panchayats will provide registration certificates within three days,”
“Intensive vaccination drive for stray dogs has already begun in most of the local government bodies in the state. A large-scale vaccine campaign will also be held, lasting till October 20,” the CM said.
The CM has also requested the locals protect domestic dogs and not abandon them in the streets.
Interestingly, a man in Kerala’s Kasargod was arrested this Saturday after a video of him carrying a gun while escorting kids from school surfaced on social media.
“A Madrasa student was bitten by a stray dog just the other day. So, all the children here were scared to leave their houses and walk to the Madrasa. So, I decided to give them security,” the man said
“I am not afraid of legal action, as I did not kill any dog. But if a dog attacks me or the children, I will have to shoot it in self-defense,” the man said further addressing that his son himself had shot his video and posted it on social media.
It is yet to be ascertained how the government plans to control the incidence of rabies, cases of which are increasing steadily as well as promise safety for its citizens from the stray menace.
