Over 350 dogs euthanized in Thiruvananthapuram in three months
8 Jun, 2014Reply by the Thiruvananthapuram city corporation to an application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act has revealed that 369 dogs were euthanized in the city between January 1 and April 19, 2014. The records show that 570 dogs were captured by the corporation between January and April 2014 out of which 50 were sterilized; 151 were administered anti-rabies vaccination while 369 dogs were euthanized. As per city corporation veterinary surgeon Dr A S Bijulal, all the 369 dogs that were euthanized were mortally wounded and incurably ill.
With an increasing number of dog-bites by stray dogs, such an action has been welcomed by many citizens. The menace of stray dogs has been rising in many parts of the country. In Thiruvananthapuram, a decision to euthanize rabid and wounded dogs was taken jointly by mayor, chairperson of health standing committee, corporation councillors and senior officials following rabid dog bite of a three year old child Poonthura and complaints by morning joggers at Kowdiar.
However, a complaint has been filed by Gauri Maulekhi, co-opted member, animal welfare board, demanding action against the city corporation veterinary surgeon Dr A S Bijulal under sections 3, 11, 38 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code. The complainant has alleged that prior sanction of district collector shall be procured to euthanize perennially ill dogs and has sought suspension of license of the vet.
For earlier reports on dog bites, please refer to –
1.13 lakh people reported dog bites while rabies has claimed 26 lives in Chennai : http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/113-lakh-people-reported-dog-bites-while-rabies-ha#.U5QLL_mSyqw
RTI reveals 221 cases of dog-bites daily in Mumbai : http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/rti-reveals-221-cases-dog-bites-daily-mumbai-2189
RTI reply reveals lacuna in controlling the stray dogs : http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/rti-reply-reveals-lacuna-controlling-stray-dogs-2351
Birth control programme for stray dogs in Thane is not being executed : http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/birth-control-programme-stray-dogs-thane-not-being#.U5QOsPmSyqw