17 deaths in 5 months from dog bites; Authorities to launch ‘Mission Rabies’ in Kerala

In the past five months, a total of 1,65,136 people in Kerala were bitten by stray dogs, resulting in 17 reported deaths. According to data obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) request by activist Raju Vazhakkala, the figures were sourced from the office of the Health Department Director.

Ernakulam district alone reported 9,169 stray dog bite cases between January and March this year, with one death. The highest number of incidents were recorded in the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Thrissur, and Palakkad.

In terms of fatalities, Alappuzha saw the highest with four deaths, followed by three each in Kollam and Malappuram, two each in Palakkad and Pathanamthitta, and one death each in Ernakulam, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram. Wayanad reported the lowest number of stray dog bite cases during this period.

Feeding causes dogs to increase

Feeding stray dogs is a major factor contributing to the growing dog population in Kochi, according to Kochi Corporation Health Standing Committee Chairman T K Ashraf. While sterilization efforts are underway, the availability of food in the city is attracting stray dogs from surrounding areas.

Ashraf pointed out that some individuals regularly feed strays with leftover food and even slaughterhouse waste sourced from local hotels, further worsening the situation.

'Mission Rabies' from Goa

A large-scale stray dog vaccination drive is set to take place in Kochi with the support of Mission Rabies, a Goa-based voluntary organization specializing in stray dog care and disease prevention.

Officials from the Kochi Corporation will hold discussions with the Mission Rabies team, scheduled to arrive next Thursday, to finalize the details. The drive is expected to be launched in the first week of August.

As part of the initiative, expert dog catchers from Mission Rabies will assist in capturing and vaccinating stray dogs. Once vaccinated, the dogs will be ear-marked and released back into the same areas where they were caught. Notably, the organization has agreed to cover all operational costs, with the Corporation only required to provide basic support, including accommodation for the team during their stay in Kochi.

Mission Rabies has previously collaborated with the Kochi Corporation, conducting a successful rabies vaccination campaign in the city’s coastal regions last year.

Cochin Corporation Seeks CSR Funds from BPCL for ABC Hospital

Sterilization cannot be carried out alongside the upcoming vaccination drive due to the lack of proper post-operative care facilities, said Kochi Corporation Health Standing Committee Chairman T K Ashraf. The existing Animal Birth Control (ABC) hospital and related infrastructure in Brahmapuram require significant upgrades.

To address this, the Corporation has submitted a proposal to BPCL requesting Rs 1 crore under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund. The proposal includes the appointment of additional veterinary doctors at the ABC centre, renovation of the hospital building, and procurement of vehicles for the field squads. A final decision on the proposal is expected next week.