From The Hindu · Aathira Haridas · · 1m 50s
Ernakulam considers limit of three dogs per household
Kerala district panchayat weighs new pet rules including licensing, microchipping and stray dog management after attacks and abandonment surge.
In brief
Kerala district panchayat weighs new pet rules including licensing, microchipping and stray dog management after attacks and abandonment surge. Ernakulam District Panchayat is considering limiting pet dogs per household to two or three, with plans for stricter licensing, microchipping and stray dog management…
Ernakulam may cap pet dogs at three
Ernakulam District Panchayat is reportedly considering limiting the number of pet dogs per household to two or three. District authorities have started discussions with stakeholders to determine a feasible limit.
Chairperson explains the reasoning
K.G. Radhakrishnan, chairperson of Ernakulam District Panchayat, said it won't be feasible to keep more than three dogs in a house in the current scenario. Separate guidelines will apply to dog breeders.
“It won't be feasible to keep more than three dogs in a house in the current scenario.”
Comprehensive stray dog programme planned

District authorities are working on a comprehensive stray dog management programme including sterilisation, vaccination, licensing of breeders, microchipping of pet dogs, designated feeding centres and shelters.
Recent attack spurs action
Following a recent stray dog attack in Angamaly in which ten people were bitten, calls for better management of stray dogs have grown louder. The incident prompted district authorities to accelerate their planning.
Pet abandonment drives new tracking rules
Kochi Corporation Health Standing Committee chairperson Seena Gokulan said there has been a sharp increase in dogs being abandoned by owners when they fall sick. Authorities are considering microchipping or tracking mechanisms to prevent abandonment.
“We have noticed a sharp increase in the number of dogs being abandoned by their owners when they fall sick.”
College campus struggles with strays
Government Polytechnic College, Kalamassery, has long grappled with an increase in stray dogs on campus with no action taken.Faculty member Julie Chandra C.S.
“Our campus is huge, and stray dogs loiter around. They often get aggressive.”
College files fresh complaint after incident
A faculty member at Government Polytechnic College, Kalamassery, was recently cornered by several dogs at night and had a narrow escape.
What to remember
Ernakulam District Panchayat is considering limiting pet dogs per household to two or three, with plans for stricter licensing, microchipping and stray dog management following recent attacks and pet abandonment.



