Kerala panchayat denies involvement in killing of stray dogs

Officials of Puzhathi panchayat near here in Kerala on Sunday washed their hands of the mass killing of stray dogs, saying they had no role in it nor commissioned anyone to do it.

"We have no role in the mass killing of stray dogs," N. Ramakrishnan of the panchayat told media persons here on Sunday, after residents said that around 40 stray dogs including puppies were killed using potassium cyanide on Saturday.

A section of dog-lovers objected to the killings, while another section of residents said they have been at the receiving end and got bitten by stray dogs.

For the past few months, the stray dog menace has been hugely debated in the Kerala assembly, forcing Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to call a meeting of various departments.

The meeting agreed to go ahead with accepted norms like animal birth control measures and sterilisation of dogs by holding of special camps. It was also decided that rules should be adhered to when dangerous dogs need to be culled.

According to reports, more than a lakh people have been bitten by stray dogs in the last year across the state.