A group in Ernakulam district of Kerala has announced a reward of Rs 500 rupees to all those who kill stray dogs.
With Rs 500 as reward for killing stray dogs in Ernakulam district, 11 dogs have reportedly been dragged and killed in crude ways by untrained locals in the past two days in Kerala.
65-year-old Jose Maveli has formed a "Dog Eradication Group" which will give Rs 500 after all those who kill dogs, submit visual proof of having done so. Supported by locals, they justify this inhumane measure as the only solution to what they claim as inaction by local village council.
"This is a very easy method. In one month by this method we can ensure there won't be any dogs. Small teams kill dogs, give us proof and only after that we pay them the 500 rupees award money," said Mr Maveli.
Most of the locals are scared of stray dogs, after young children, including a four-year-old boy who was bitten on his eye by a stray dog earlier this month.
Mary Kunyamol, who escorts rescued children from a shelter home to school says, "When we take children to school, they get scared and run away when they see dogs. They are so scared about dogs biting them. Panchayats or the government are not doing anything."
As the NDTV team prepared to leave for Piravam village, in the same district, locals told us that stray dogs there, too have not been spared.
The administration insists that the stray dog issue is being treated with urgency.
Eldhose Kunnappalli, president of Ernakulam District Panchayat told NDTV, "Animal Birth Control procedures cannot be done so smoothly and fast. It will take at least one year if everyone cooperates, which no one is. We are short of staff."
The fallout has been brutal killings of dogs, horrified animal lovers, and increasing dog bites. What is urgently needed is a solution that will give people a feeling of safety which does not violate legal and humane guidelines.