Stray dog bites continues in Kerala

A total of 31,114 persons were bitten by stray dogs in Kerala in the past three months, Health Minister K K Shailaja told state assembly today.
As per the statistics, highest number of dogs bites during June, July and August was reported from Thiruvananthapuram district with 6,042, followed by Palakkad 4,305 and Kollam 4,123, Shailaja said in a written reply during question hour.
She said steps are underway to ensure that all domestic dogs were administered with anti-rabies vaccine under a programme of State Animal Husbandry Department.
This programme would be concluded by October 31, she said.
Steps are also underway in coordination with different departments to solve the stray dog menace in the state, she said, adding that the issue could be resolved in two-three years time.

Government now provides treatment to persons attacked by street dogs, she said, adding it was planned to extend financial help to persons bitten by dogs.
The street dog menace had become a topic of debate in the state recently after a 64-year-old woman was mauled to death by a group of dogs at Pulluvilla in the district.