Kerala will again approach SC seeking permission to kill rabid stray dogs: MB Rajesh

Thiruvananthapuram: Local self-government minister MB Rajesh said that a meeting with top officials from various departments will be convened soon to address the growing problem of the stray dog menace. The state government plans to approach the Supreme Court again, requesting permission to kill stray dogs that pose a threat to human life. 

Stray dog menace has become a major concern not only in Kerala but across the country. Recent incidents in Bihar's Begusarai district, where nine women were fatally bitten by stray dogs, and in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur, where 13 children lost their lives to dog attacks in eight months, highlight the gravity of the situation, the minister said in a statement.

The state government is taking proactive measures to address this issue. However, eliminating the issue has become challenging due to certain provisions of the union laws. It is crucial to streamline legislation to effectively control the proliferation of stray dogs. Modifying the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2001, to accommodate practical considerations is essential for implementing effective control measures. While the Act permits the killing of nuisance wild animals, it does not allow the same measure for aggressive stray dogs. Kerala had previously sought permission from the Supreme Court to euthanize violent and rabid stray dogs under specific conditions. However, the request was rejected, the minister noted.

Actions taken so far

The Local Self-Government Department, in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry Department, has conducted sterilisation and vaccination operations for stray dogs. From September 1, 2022, to June 11, 2023, a total of 4,70,534 dogs were vaccinated, including 4,38,473 domestic dogs and 32,061 stray dogs. Moreover, 79,859 stray dogs were sterilised between 2016 and August 31, 2022. An additional 9,767 dogs underwent sterilisation between September 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023. Currently, 19 ABC centres are operational in the state, and plans are underway to establish 24 more. In September 2022, the Local Self-Government Department directed local governing bodies to develop special projects for street nuisance control, with Rs 10.36 crore allocated to 432 local self-governing bodies. A month-long intensive vaccination drive for stray dogs took place from September 20 to October 20, 2022, accompanied by efforts to capture and house stray dogs. Although the establishment of stray dog shelters and ABC centres faced opposition in certain areas, it is critical to acknowledge that the intensive efforts initiated last September have significantly reduced the nuisance. Consequently, some local authorities lowered their guard.

ABC guidelines

The union government revised rules governing ABC Center operation on March 10, 2023. These rules stipulate that ABC centres must only be established with the approval of the designated board. Existing provisions under the Act pose challenges in controlling the issue. The Act mandates sterilisation to be performed in an air-conditioned operation theatre, with a four-day post-operative care period before dogs can be released after the wound heals, the statement read.

The government's policy is to implement effective measures to control street nuisance within the law. Public, local governing bodies, and the government must work together to address this problem. Effective waste management is also crucial as stray dogs congregate in waste dumping areas. 

11-year-old Nihal Naushad's death in Muzhappilangad, Kannur is unfortunate and distressing. It is disheartening that this incident occurred despite the diligent efforts of the state government and local authorities in combating the menace. Every precautionary measure will be taken to prevent such devastating incidents, Rajesh said. The minister expressed deep condolences and affirmed that decisive actions will be undertaken to address this matter promptly.