ABC of the stray issue
The problem is magnified by numbers. Kerala reported 2.89 lakh strays in the 2019 Livestock Census, and the population is believed to have grown. Yet in the first half of 2025, only 8,102 strays were vaccinated and 8,654 sterilised. This is only a fraction of the total.
Thiruvananthapuram corporation records show 42 per cent of its 8,700 strays sterilised and around 7,500 vaccinated. The civic body runs two ABC centres with a monthly target of 200 surgeries, official sources inform.
Kochi lags behind. 'Poor pay discourages dogcatchers from taking up the job,' says district panchayat president Manoj Muthedan.
Of the four ABC centres in Ernakulam district, only the Brahmapuram facility is fully functional. Corporation standing committee chairman T K Ashraf says more help is on the way: 'We are seeking to expand operations. At present, we have only four dogcatchers and one vehicle. This will be increased to 12, and we are looking at hiring more doctors.' Talks are also on with Mission Rabies to boost vaccinations.
However, not everyone is convinced. 'I don't understand why those who claim to be dog lovers are so adamant about rescuing animals that are harming and endangering human lives on such a big scale. Laws have to be redrawn; it is already too late. The ABC programme has clearly failed,' says P Rangadas Prabhu, president of the Ernakulam Residential Association.
To bring attention to this issue, the Confederation of Residents Welfare Association is organising a march to the secretariat on Tuesday in Thiruvananthapuram to put forth their demands, he adds.
However, veterinarians caution against viewing sterilisation alone as the solution. 'The ABC is not the complete solution. It is just a part of it,' says Dr M K Pratheepkumar, president of the Indian Veterinary Association.
'Most rabies vaccinations are given once to stray dogs; this is not correct. The complete course has to be given; only then will it have any desired effect,' he adds.
Former State Animal Welfare Board member M N Jayachandran points to the contested structure of the State Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, with the High Court recently striking down the government's move to appoint panchayat presidents as heads instead of district collectors.
Animal lovers, too, feel sidelined. 'Kerala has failed to use its strong network of feeders effectively,' says Maria Jacob, member of the state animal welfare board.
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Indian Express
2 hours ago
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Kolkata Deputy Mayor blames ‘non-allocation of central funds' for stray dog issue: ‘Civic body manages with its own resources'
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Time of India
5 hours ago
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Over 24,000 strays sterilised in Trichy, 7,500 given rabies boosters
Trichy: The Trichy Corporation has administered booster doses of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) to 7,539 stray dogs as part of its 'Rabies-Free City' drive launched in April 2025. The initiative aims to maintain long-term immunity among strays against rabies. Alongside, the civic body has sterilised 24,577 of the estimated 43,767 stray dogs in all 65 wards since April 2023 to control the population. "Stray dogs sterilised and vaccinated at least two years ago are being identified and given booster doses. We are prioritising wards in zones IV and V for now," said city health officer M Vijay Chandran. Neutered dogs, marked with notches on their ears, are tracked by dedicated teams for booster coverage. No rabies-related deaths have been reported in either humans or dogs in the city over the past three years. The corporation said the effectiveness of the animal birth control (ABC) programme depends on administering booster doses regularly to sterilised dogs. The local body has been sourcing ARV doses through veterinary associations and pharmaceutical firms. The next batch of medicines are awaited to launch the second phase. "We await about ₹2.2 crore as reimbursement from the Animal Welfare Board of India for sterilisation and vaccination drives carried out over the years. Even so, the ABC drive continues without interruption," the officer added. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
New Indian Express
10 hours ago
- New Indian Express
ABC of the stray issue
Straying too far The problem is magnified by numbers. Kerala reported 2.89 lakh strays in the 2019 Livestock Census, and the population is believed to have grown. Yet in the first half of 2025, only 8,102 strays were vaccinated and 8,654 sterilised. This is only a fraction of the total. Thiruvananthapuram corporation records show 42 per cent of its 8,700 strays sterilised and around 7,500 vaccinated. The civic body runs two ABC centres with a monthly target of 200 surgeries, official sources inform. Kochi lags behind. 'Poor pay discourages dogcatchers from taking up the job,' says district panchayat president Manoj Muthedan. Of the four ABC centres in Ernakulam district, only the Brahmapuram facility is fully functional. Corporation standing committee chairman T K Ashraf says more help is on the way: 'We are seeking to expand operations. At present, we have only four dogcatchers and one vehicle. This will be increased to 12, and we are looking at hiring more doctors.' Talks are also on with Mission Rabies to boost vaccinations. However, not everyone is convinced. 'I don't understand why those who claim to be dog lovers are so adamant about rescuing animals that are harming and endangering human lives on such a big scale. Laws have to be redrawn; it is already too late. The ABC programme has clearly failed,' says P Rangadas Prabhu, president of the Ernakulam Residential Association. To bring attention to this issue, the Confederation of Residents Welfare Association is organising a march to the secretariat on Tuesday in Thiruvananthapuram to put forth their demands, he adds. However, veterinarians caution against viewing sterilisation alone as the solution. 'The ABC is not the complete solution. It is just a part of it,' says Dr M K Pratheepkumar, president of the Indian Veterinary Association. 'Most rabies vaccinations are given once to stray dogs; this is not correct. The complete course has to be given; only then will it have any desired effect,' he adds. Former State Animal Welfare Board member M N Jayachandran points to the contested structure of the State Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, with the High Court recently striking down the government's move to appoint panchayat presidents as heads instead of district collectors. Animal lovers, too, feel sidelined. 'Kerala has failed to use its strong network of feeders effectively,' says Maria Jacob, member of the state animal welfare board.
