Thiruvananthapuram: The City Corporation Council on Thursday expressed concern over the resistance by Government departments and animal rights organisations to the drive against the stray dog menace.

Moving an adjournment motion on the issue, Health standing committee chairman G.R. Anil said the Urban Affairs Secretary had issued a notice to the corporation, urging it to stop killing stray dogs. He said the notice had termed the killing of stray dogs as unconstitutional.

Cutting across party lines, councillors said selective killing of stray dogs was inevitable in the light of the increasing attacks by rabid animals on people. They said residents in many localities were terrified of moving out after dark. The councillors said packs of stray dogs were roaming the city, attacking pedestrians and posing a danger to motorists.

During the discussion, the councillors came down heavily on People For Animals (PFA), a non-Governmental organisation (NGO) that has been campaigning against the slaughter of stray dogs. Poojappura councillor K. Maheswaran Nair urged the Government to order an inquiry into the functioning of the PFA. He alleged that the NGO was whipping up a campaign and fabricating records to avail itself of Central Government assistance for animal rights programmes in the State.

Chakka councillor S. Ratheendran said many of the vehicles purchased by the PFA with Government funds were being used for other purposes. Communist Party of India leader M. Sujanapriyan called for legal action against individuals and organisations trying to stop the killing of rabid stray dogs. Deputy Mayor V. Jayaprakash highlighted the need to strengthen the Animal Birth Control programme for sterilisation of stray dogs and to explore legal options to override opposition from animal lovers.

Mayor C. Jayan Babu assured the council that a strategy for control of the stray dog menace would be evolved after a meeting to be convened on June 7.

The meeting adopted a resolution urging the Government to take urgent steps to protect the avenue trees lining the main road from the Museum to Kowdiar. Moving the resolution, Kowdiar ward councillor A. Sunilkumar said many of the trees were in danger of toppling in the monsoon rain. He said road works along the stretch had weakened the roots of the trees.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail