With more attacks, some say Kerala has become ‘dogs’ own country’

Thiruvananthapuram: More dog attacks were reported in Kerala on Saturday even as the state mulled culling stray dogs that roam the streets and attack people.

The latest reports of dog bites came from Thrissur district, where three people suffered dog bites, including a three-month-old child who was being given a bath by its mother outside the house. The dog died later, triggering fears that it may have been rabid.

The incidents come even as the state is considering culling of street dogs that are violent. A week ago, a 65-year-old woman was attacked and killed by a pack of dogs at the Pulluvila beach in the outskirts of the state capital.

The state government offered a compensation of Rs500,000 (Dh27,368) to the family of the deceased woman, identified as Shiluvamma.

There are conflicting views in the state about what to do with stray dogs. While those like industrialist and social activist, Kochouseph Chittilappilly have strongly advocated killing of stray dogs, animal lovers including presenter Ranjini Haridas have strongly opposed the move.

Some local bodies like Pala in Kottayam district have taken proactive steps in the matter by constructing rows of kennels in which captured stray dogs can be kept, sterilised and cared for.

Federal authorities, however, have not been impressed by Kerala’s plans to cull stray dogs. Federal minister for women and child welfare, Maneka Gandhi criticised the state government’s move to kill “dangerous dogs”. She said the move was “unlawful and unscientific”. The minister also demanded to know how the state had spent the money allotted to it by the Animal Welfare Board for sterilisation of dogs.

State local administration minister, K.T. Jaleel has said there was be no change in the state government’s move to cull stray dogs.

On social media, too, the issue of stray dogs has been hotly debated. A video of the mythical ruler of Kerala, Maveli, shows the king being chased away by dogs during his annual visit to his people. Many netizens have thrown up their hands, commenting that Kerala has become ‘Dogs’ own country’, a take-off from the famous advertising line, ‘God’s own country’.