Thiruvananthapuram – The government estimates that there has been a huge increase in the number of dog and cat bites in the state. Till the month of June, 1,47,287 people sought treatment in government hospitals due to dog bites. 18 people have died of pea poisoning so far this year. Five deaths occurred in 2020 and 11 deaths in 2021. Last year more than five lakh people were bitten by cats and dogs.
Officials say that the number of stray dogs is increasing because the local bodies are not getting enough funds to catch them. Kudumbashree had to withdraw from catching and sterilizing dogs and the number also increased. The officials of the local department explained in the high-level meeting that another reason for the increase in the number of biters is that many of the owners left the dogs and cats they kept at home during the Covid period on the streets when they started going to work after the Covid.
Stray dogs were caught and sterilized and released at the place where they were taken. Street gang control is the responsibility of local bodies. The surgery is also done by the doctors of animal welfare department. Dogs must be caught by dog catchers and organizations approved by the National Animal Welfare Board. Kudumbashree kept the dogs here. They also had dog shelters.
Animal lovers approached the High Court stating that Kudumbashree is not scientifically authorized to catch dogs. The government informed the court that they have applied for the approval of the National Animal Welfare Board. But Kudumbashree could not meet the conditions set by the Animal Welfare Board. Local institutions could do sterilization with the help of a doctor, but that did not go ahead.
English Summary: Number of people biten by dogs and cats increases Kerala