The Stray Dog Problem of Kerala and it's immature handling

I am really fond of Animals and believe that animals needs to be treated with respect. Be it livestock or otherwise. There is growing unrest after a number of people were attacked by dogs in Kerala. People are going to extreme measures like culling and massacre of dogs, Which I feel is very immature and uncalled for. Everybody wants a hasty remedy for the stray dog menace. It is disturbing to see educated people like Kochaouseph Chitilappally of V-guard and Veegaland promoting violence against animals. 

The tolerance point for me was when a group of school students in Kochi was made to take a pledge which encouraged the culling of strays. A message wrong on many different levels, It is equal to telling/reassuring a child that hurting animals is fine. I would want my children to learn compassion at school and not violence. I feel immense hatred towards the school authorities who allowed ignorant people like Jose K Maveli to speak to the children on the issue.  Children should decide for themselves how they want to treat animals. Let them come to their conclusions on the subject when they grow up. 

We have had countless discussions in our bachelor flat on the topic, as usual me on the side of finding a humane and viable solution and them on the other side that killing is the only solution. My points were the following, 

• It is important to have the maturity to understand that the stray dog issue is not a standalone problem that Kerala faces. The number of stray dogs have increased proportionally with poor waste management strategies.  
• Kerala needs to immediately address and come up with better waste management solutions before we can talk on the stray dog issue. 
• I agree that there are vicious dogs, which is a minority again. Dogs are animals that are dependent on human beings. Instead of killing the vicious dogs, all dogs are being killed in Kerala. It is equivalent as killing all people in a place just because one person has committed a crime.
• I suggest we go towards more humane solutions rather than mass culling of animals. It poorly reflects on us and sets out a bad example for the generations to come. Sterilization and widespread awareness of programs like ABC(Animal Birth Control) by government would go a long way. 
• More adoption drives and fund raising activities towards rehabilitation of animals.

I also questioned the genuineness of Chitilappally on the issue, which they couldn't digest. Chitilappally to them is a saint, and it is wrong to criticize him unless I myself has donated a Kidney( Which I then have to report to all news dailies ). The really sad part is the mentality that culling of dogs is fine, not a big deal. 

The points they have raised and my replies are as follows, 

• What if you had lost a dear one ? Would you still support the stray dog menace ?

Gladly I haven't and I have never seen such dogs in my area. This might sound immature to you but I definitely don't feel an eye for an eye does any good in the world. 

• Dogs have bitten children while inside their homes. 

It is really unfortunate that this has happened. There is no justifying this. Still it was children who were left unattended that were attacked by dogs. Parents do have to be more responsible.

• If you like dogs then why don't you adopt one ? 

I already have a dog at home and at present me not being home, I don't want my parents to look after another dog just because I want them to. Once I am back home I am considering adopting one from Street dog watch Trivandrum. However I have made small contributions to groups like People for Animals Trivandrum who have been working towards betterment and rehabilitation of animals. Something that I can do as of now. 

• If Killing of Animals is not right ? Why do you eat meat ?

The animals I eat are livestock, they are animals raised for our food needs. They are not like dogs. Dogs are not raised for food at least in India. However my take on livestock is that the way these animals are treated also has to change. These animals also have to be treated with more space. I have read somewhere that it is illegal in India even to kill an animal in view of other animals. But government doesn't have people to check if these animal regulations are in place for livestock. 

• If you can kill mosquitoes you can kill dogs too. 

This is baseless. Mosquitoes do no good to the world or us. 

Coming back to topic, I happened to see a documentary by Asianet News today, which talks in detail of these issues. This could easily be one of the best TV programs made on the issue with an open mind. 

  Street Dog lovers | Anweshanam 26 Oct 2016

I really wish that people and government takes inspiration from the video and work towards a humane solution to the problem. Let us not heed to people who propose for hasty solutions.  We all share this world and their lives are as important.