Corporation's shelter plan stalls

Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is moving stray dogs caught in the city to shelters outside city limits, but the plan faces growing local opposition.

Karumkulam panchayat objects first

In February, Karumkulam grama panchayat opposed a dog shelter in its area, calling it illegal because it operates without panchayat permission.

Kuttichal panchayat joins opposition

Kuttichal panchayat has now issued a stop memo against a private dog shelter housing around two hundred dogs from the Corporation.

Shelter conditions called cruel

Left Democratic Front leader S.P. Deepak visited the Kuttichal shelter and found it was a converted poultry farm with poor living conditions for dogs.

“it was neither designed as a standard dog shelter nor does it function as one, rather it used to be a poultry farm.”

Over one thousand dogs unaccounted for

According to an RTI response, the Corporation captured over one thousand three hundred dogs in three months from May, but only three hundred and one are accounted for.

Karumkulam promises unfulfilled

Karumkulam grama panchayat president Pushpam Vincent said shelter operators promised in February to relocate within six months, but have not done so.

Corporation cites Supreme Court orders

Corporation Veterinarian Sreerag Jayan said releasing caught dogs into public spaces near hospitals, schools or bus stations would violate Supreme Court orders.

“We cannot release the dogs that are caught back into public spaces, near hospitals or schools or bus stations as it can become contempt of Supreme Court orders.”