Kozhikode: Even as the corporation is soft-pedalling the Animal Birth Control project, the number of dog bite cases is on a steady rise in the city and suburbs. During the last few days, many persons were bitten by dogs, and hue and cry against the corporation authorities also are high. A 2-year-old boy was severely attacked while he was playing in front of his home. The stray dogs dragged the boy few meters away.
The number of cases is also increased at Feroke, Beypore, Nallalam, taluk hospital premises and Kottappadam where strays attacked seven including a child. Parents are also afraid to send children to school due to the threat. Calicut Animal Lovers’ Club demands that the corporation should keep the strays under captivity and feed them till there is a sufficient number for conducting sterilisation camps. “The density of strays is much high in areas where slaughterhouses are functioning,” he said. “The corporation has land and funds for a permanent sterilisation facility, but it is still a dream.”
Though the corporation prepared a list of dog catchers, few expressed willingness. The former council was also planning to bring stray handlers from other areas. The corporation had sterilised 159 dogs in May last year at a camp on its land at Poolakkadavu. The natives came out in the open against it alleging that the dogs would be released at the same spot.
However, the city corporation is under pressure from various groups to implement the project as soon as possible. Mayor Thottathil Raveendran told Deccan Chronicle that everything had been set for it. “An amount of Rs 50 lakh has been earmarked for constructing a building and ensuring other facilities.”
