Discount on air guns to deal with stray dogs

Thiruvananthapuram: A group of people have come forward with discounts on air guns, aiming to put an end to the stray dogs menace in the state.

Pala St Thomas College Old Students' association has put up posters at various places announcing that they would provide a 10 per cent discount on air guns to those facing hardships due to stray dogs and 25 per cent to those have a police case against them in connection with the menace.

Jose Maveli, a social activist running a shelter home for poor and heading a group named 'Stray Dog Eradication', said he had launched a 'stray dog free Kerala' campaign last year and was arrested last month from Kochi for allegedly killing 24 stray dogs in Chengamanad panchayat area.

Maveli became the first person to avail the air gun offer by the association.

He said he is also visiting schools and urging students to create awareness about the menace and put pressure on the Centre and state governments to take steps to find a solution to the problem.

He is also planning conventions across Kerala on the issue.

A 65-year-old woman was mauled to death by a large pack of stray dogs in August on a suburban beach at Kanjiramkulam here.

Activists of the youth wing of a political party had taken out a procession recently carrying carcasses of stray dogs tied to poles, following which the state government was asked by the Supreme Court to file a response within 3 weeks on the action taken against offenders.

The apex court had on September 14 said compassion should be shown to stray dogs but these animals should not be allowed to become a menace to society and a balance needs to be created to deal with such situations.