Tripunithura (Ernakulam): The campus of Tripunithura Government Girls School has become a shelter for stray dogs, forcing authorities to intervene. On Thursday, the school declared a holiday in order to capture the dogs.

Students and staff had complained that walking inside the premises had become difficult due to the growing menace. A disturbing incident happened on Wednesday when a stray dog was found dead in the school compound, with froth around its mouth and injuries on head. The dog’s carcass was later buried on the campus as per the directions of the Animal Husbandry Department.

Dog catchers were brought from Kottayam on Thursday morning. However, many of the strays fled on seeing the team. Eventually, one adult dog and a pup were captured. The suspected rabid dog, believed to have bitten the deceased animal, was also caught and shifted along with the pup to a special shelter at the Tripunithura veterinary hospital. Officials confirmed that both animals will be kept under observation for 10 days, after which they will be vaccinated and released if found healthy.

Municipal authorities, along with officials from the Animal Husbandry Department, visited the spot and supervised the operation. Tripunithura Municipal Secretary PK Subhash stated that the district collector and the deputy director of the Animal Husbandry Department were informed as soon as the incident came to light.

The municipality has also decided to immediately capture and vaccinate all stray dogs in the 37th ward, including from the government school premises, to prevent further risk. Mathrubhumi had earlier reported about the growing stray dog menace at the school on July 19.