Woman cop in TVM shelters 70 stray dogs at home; authorities intervene to relocate

Thiruvananthapuram: Residents of Chenkottukonam in Kazhakoottam have finally found relief after weeks of distress caused by a local female police officer keeping stray dogs at her home. The officer has agreed to relocate the animals following mounting complaints from neighbours.

The controversy began when the officer, Metilda, stationed at Kazhakoottam Police Station, began sheltering a large number of stray dogs at her residence near the Swamiyarmadom in Chenkottukonam. Neighbours complained that the dogs, which are kept in rooms and on the terrace without proper barriers, were creating noise and a foul smell, making it impossible to use their own homes comfortably.

Neighbours, including Ramya, a Techno Park employee, reported that the situation had escalated over three years. When she moved in, there were only two dogs; now, the number has increased to around seventy, brought in from the streets. Her ten-year-old son often cannot go to school or step outside due to fear of the animals. Delivery personnel and utility staff, including those checking electricity and water meters, frequently refuse to enter the property, leaving Ramya to rely on sending photographs for meter readings.

Despite complaints to the municipal corporation, the Ombudsman, and the Human Rights Commission, no action had been taken. The residents formally requested the corporation to intervene and relocate the dogs.

Upon noticing the matter, Mayor V.V. Rajesh convened an urgent meeting, promising a resolution. Both the complainant and the police officer have been called for a discussion the following day. The mayor confirmed that the officer’s keeping of stray dogs at her home, which caused inconvenience to neighbours, would be addressed. “We will verify whether the officer has a valid licence to keep street dogs. If not, the animals will be relocated,” he said. He added that the dogs would not be released onto the streets, as this could make them more aggressive, and vaccination and relocation to a safer site would be arranged. The municipal corporation will initiate the first phase of relocating the stray dogs to shelters before the end of the month.

The police officer’s affection for the dogs, however, has made it difficult for neighbours to go about their daily lives. Ramya and her family have had to cope with the noise, aggressive behaviour, and strong odours emanating from the property, often relying on discarded food from local shops and restaurants to feed the animals.

Ward Councillor Sindhu Sasi visited Ramya’s residence and assured that the mayor would personally meet on 17 January to discuss a resolution.