Kerala Begins Vaccination Drive For Canines After Boy Mauled To Death By Stray Dogs

An 11-year-old boy was attacked and bitten by dogs to death at Muzhappilangad near Kannur. 

Kerala recorded 19 deaths due to dog bites till August 2022 last year.

Two days after the death of a child with developmental disabilities due to stray dog menace, Kerala government launched a vaccination drive for stray and pet canines in the state. Recently, an 11-year-old boy was attacked and bitten by dogs at Muzhappilangad near Kannur. 

According to PTI, Nihal (11) was bitten by the dogs and he was found grievously injured in bushes a hundred metres away from his home. 

Nihal's neighbour told PTI, "We heard the dogs barking a lot yesterday (Sunday). We did not hear the boy. Later when they were searching for him, we searched the area where the dogs were barking and found him."

"There have been stray dog attacks in the area in the recent past and a complaint was given to the district administration, but nothing was done," said another resident.

Following the incident, Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) and the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) registered a case and sought reports within two weeks from the local administration. The child rights panel has also sought detailed reports within two weeks.

NGOs and individual petitioners have also moved Supreme Court against the decision of HCs to permit municipal bodies to act on menace. 

The death of the young boy has also raised questions on the effectiveness of vaccination drives put in place by the government. Kerala announced a vaccination drive and promised to increase Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres in State last year. The move came after Kerala recorded 19 deaths due to dog bites till August 2022 last year.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan said that there was lethargy in the implementation of waste disposal measures, ABC program and providing quality vaccines.  He alleged that the lack of proper waste disposal mechanisms and non-sterilisation of stray dogs for the last three years has led to an increase in their numbers.