A safer street for people, a better life for dogs: Keralam’s Adat panchayat’s new stray dog blueprint

Adat panchayat in Thrissue has come up with a comprehensive plan against stray dog menace. | Photo Credit: K.K. Najeeb

With no end to stray dog menace, Adat grama panchayat in Keralam’s Thrissur is attempting an ambitious community-driven stray-dog protection and management programme that brings together shelter, regulated feeding, vaccination, sterilisation, adoption and responsible pet ownership.

The panchayat’s objective is to create a system in which animal welfare and public safety go hand in hand, rather than being treated as competing concerns.

“At the heart of the initiative will be a dedicated shelter for stray dogs, particularly those that are injured, diseased or display aggressive behaviour. The panchayat plans to temporarily lease at least 15 cents of land for 15 years and set up the facility with dedicated staff for its day-to-day care,” according to senior Congress leader and former panchayat president Anil Akkara, who initiated the project.

But the plan does not stop at the shelter gates.

Feeding stations

In an attempt to bring order to the feeding of community dogs, feeding stations will be established in all 20 wards of the panchayat. Four stations will be opened in the first phase as an immediate measure. A staff member will be appointed to prepare food, while the panchayat plans to source food supplies through sponsorships and make arrangements through the local body when sponsorship support falls short.