The Kozhikode Corporation has taken a significant step towards addressing the stray dog menace within the city limits by inviting expressions of interest from individuals and organisations to establish and operate shelters for street dogs. The decision was made at a meeting of officials, public representatives, and members of animal welfare organisations convened by Mayor O. Sadasivan.
The project aims to provide a lasting solution to the issue and will initially be implemented on a pilot basis by establishing several small shelters at different locations, each capable of accommodating at least 10 street dogs. A three-member committee will be constituted to identify aggressive stray dogs and facilitate their relocation to the shelters. NGOs have assured the Corporation that they can take care of feeding the dogs shifted to these shelters, and the Corporation will also extend necessary support if required.
However, animal welfare organisations have cautioned that identifying suitable land for the shelters would be the biggest challenge. Sudina Anuraj Varma, a member of People For Animals, said that finding appropriate locations remains the biggest hurdle, and even if land is identified and a shelter is proposed, residents are likely to object. The success of the initiative will depend on identifying suitable sites.
The Corporation has also decided to organise special ward-level camps to streamline the licensing and microchipping of pet dogs. A recent survey by National Service Scheme volunteers estimated that there are 28,510 street dogs within the Corporation limits. The Corporation is focussing on developing sustainable, long-term solutions rather than temporary measures to address the stray dog menace, ensuring public safety while safeguarding animal welfare.
Representatives of animal welfare organisations have welcomed the civic body’s initiative but stressed that relocating all stray dogs within the Corporation limits to shelters is neither feasible nor desirable. Instead, the shelters should primarily accommodate abandoned pet dogs, particularly aggressive animals, those showing symptoms of rabies, dogs suffering from diseases, severely debilitated animals, and dogs injured in accidents.
The Corporation is working towards finding a lasting solution to the stray dog menace, and the success of the initiative will depend on the collaborative approach and public cooperation.
