E-Paper
Killer offer: 10% off on air guns to tackle Kerala’s dog menace
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Fed up with growing stray menace in the state, an organisation in south-central Kottayam district has volunteered subsidy for those buying air
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Fed up with growing stray menace in the state, an organisation in south-central Kottayam district has volunteered subsidy for those buying air guns to shoo away violent dogs.
The alumni association of a famed college in Pala has offered 10% subsidy to those who buy air guns for the first time and another 25% subsidy for those who face police cases for culling stray dogs. An air gun typically costs around `4,000, and does not need a licence to procure.
Office-bearers of the ex-students’ association of St Thomas College point out that air guns won’t be fatal, but are strong enough to scare away canines. Its use can thus curb mindless killings of strays.
Animal lovers, however, say air guns can cause serious injuries. Veterinary doctors back them, saying air guns can be fatal if fired from close range.
The subsidy offer was launched in Kochi on Wednesday by giving a free air gun to activist Jose Maveli, who is facing at least three cases for culling stray dogs. A senior police officer in Kochi said those who made the offer will be booked.
The scheme was inaugurated two days after the Supreme Court sought Kerala’s response to a pliant citing brutal killing of street dogs in Kottayam by a group of youth activists, who later organised a procession carrying their carcasses.
The Youth Front (Mani) that organised the procession said the organisation will distribute dogs after netting and dispatch them to animal lovers who oppose the move to restrict their numbers. “We will catch these dogs and donate them to animal lovers,” said Youth Front state president Saji Manjakadamban, who was later booked for slaughtering dogs. “If they are so worried about the plight of dogs, let them rear them in their home. Nobody is shedding tears for victims of dog bite.”
The Youth Front rally in Kottayam town last week saw the members also shouting slogans against Union minister Maneka Gandhi and the state government for “overlooking the plight” of people on the street.
The intensity of stray menace in Kerala came to the fore three months ago when an aged woman in Thiruvananthapuram was killed by a pack of dogs that partly devoured her body. Till last month, the state reported more than 50,000 dog bites, four bite deaths and many rabies-inflicted deaths. Animal lovers have blamed poor waste-disposal method of the state for the multiplication of strays.
Most local bodies do not have the infrastructure and facilities required for animal birth control, prompting them to often resort to quick solutions. A majority of local bodies are yet to switch over from traditional sterilisation method to keyhole surgery — a standard procedure followed globally.
