M inister m oots action plan to end stray dog m enace

KANNUR: Kerala’s Minister for Local Self-governments MB Rajesh, who assumed charge last week, told media persons on Sunday that he would take initiative to formulate an action plan to end stray dog menace, which is a ‘grievous problem in the state.’

The minister said that he would meet Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday to discuss the issue. “The government has already taken concrete steps to deal with the stray dog menace in the state. It was decided to set up ABC (Animal Birth Control) centres in 152 blocks.

“Around 30 centres are ready to sterilise stray dogs. In the case of domestic dogs, measures, including licensing, are being taken,” said Rajesh.

There are a couple more measures that need to be carried out urgently to tackle the issue, he said.

“A detailed action plan would be formulated soon ater consulting with the chief minister. Our effort is to see a solution with public participation,” Rajesh said.

Local self-government bodies are entrusted with the culling of stray dogs in their respective areas.

Even while the state government is making serious efforts to curb the dog menace, the number of dog bites reported from different parts of Kerala is hiecord numbers.

On Wednesday, twenty-six people including several children were bien by stray dogs across the state. Eight people, including a child, were bien by stray dogs at Kaakkada in Trivandrum.

Six, including a Plus One student, suffered dog bites at Idukki’s Rajakkad and Upputhara panchayats.

In Koayam, stray dogs barged into the com pounds of five houses at night at E umanoor in Koayam district and bit six people.

In Ernakulam, SI Ratheesh Babu of Alangad police station in Paravur was bien by his pet dog while on duty.

Another person doing his rounds delivering newspapers in Chitoor was also biten by a dog.

In Thrissur, an auto driver and an Utar Pradesh native were atacked by stray dogs. In Malappuram, two persons suffered dog bites. The stray dog menace has worsened in Kerala leading to six deaths in four months from May 2022.