Thiruvananthapuram: Stray deaths swing activists into action

Thiruvananthapuram: In the wake of four stray dogs, including two puppies, being allegedly poisoned to death in Prashant Nagar, Ulloor, this week, animal welfare activists feel the need to build awareness on community-friendly dogs. Wherever people  have a friendly attitude to strays, the dogs are friendly, according to I. Latha, trustee of the People For Animals (PFA), Thiruvananthapuram chapter trustee. PFA will  conduct  an awareness session here. “We have noticed that the dogs are friendly in the stretch from Pettah to Kowarady junction. That is because the people are friendly. The ones who feed the dogs manage to catch dogs easily for sterilisation and vaccination,” she says.

No police complaint has been filed against the culling. Prasanth Nagar Allottees’ Association president V. Dathan said that he was not aware of the incident. One of the bodies was left to stink in a drain until Saturday.  While everyone insists the dogs were a menace, no one can recall a single bite case. “The dogs used to chase children, or two-wheelers. Though no one has been bitten yet, they chase to bite,” says K. Ajanthakumari, a shopkeeper.

While in Prasanth Nagar too, there are residents who used to feed the dogs, many feel that is why  the strays come here. Ajanthakumari says that some stopped feeding following severe criticism from others. But the dogs do not just thrive on food provided by the residents, according to Prasanth Nagar Allottees’ Association secretary B.K. Madhu. “Of 350 houses, 250 have started using kitchen bins, while many others rely on pit composts. The rest dump waste in the drains. The dogs come for this,” he says.