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The state government recently issued an array of orders to solve the issues caused by stray dogs by forming an immediate action plan at the local government level in addition to the existing directions.
The State of Kerala has approached the Supreme Court seeking a permit to euthanize or cull violent and vicious stray dogs, in particular, those dogs which are suspected of having contracted rabies.
It is the State government's case that while the State Act and Rules provide for ‘destruction of dogs’ that are violent or rabid, no culling is being undertaken currently as it is regarded as contrary to the Central Rules.
"When there is a zoonotic disease outbreak, culling of animals or birds (for bird flu or swine flu) is undertaken to prevent the spread. However, in the case of rabid dogs, they are only to be isolated till they die", the plea adds.
The government of Kerala issued a Government Order on 15th September 2022 to deal with various aspects relating to the human-animal conflict situation in the backdrop of the increasing number of stray dog attack cases in the State.
Another issue highlighted by the plea is the withdrawal of Kudumbashree Units from the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme following the interim order by the High Court of Kerala, bringing the ABC programme to a complete halt in 8 districts.
The reason for the stay was lack of certification by the Animal Welfare Board of India.
The State Government has submitted that this certification was denied on account of the gap in infrastructural facilities as per the terms and conditions of the guidelines.
"Kudumbasree has taken necessary steps to obtain that certification from AWBI – there are some additional infrastructural requirements that are to be met to satisfy the conditions stipulated. But the emergent situation warrants an immediate restoration of the ABC programme, and enhancement of its reach so that the problem of stray dogs can be permanently resolved. It is a fact that there are hardly any AWBI certified organizations to undertake the activities of the programme in Kerala", the plea submitted.
Against this backdrop, the state government has prayed that Kudumbashree units trained in the ABC programme be allowed to undertake Animal Birth Control programme to tide over the present crisis situation.
The plea has been filed by Advocate CK Sasi.
Case Title: Anupam Tripathi vs. Union of India & Ors.
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