MANEKA, KERALA MIN SPAR OVER CULLING STRAYS

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The war of words between Union minister Maneka Gandhi and Kerala government over culling of stray dogs aggravated on Friday with state minister KT Jaleel hitting back, saying that people who don’t love human beings are worried over the fate of animals.

“Animal lovers should introspect that people who don’t love humans do love animals more. We will go ahead with our plan to cull violent and troublesome dogs,” said the local administration minister, without naming Gandhi. However, he admitted there were lapses on the part of the state government in implementing a sterilisation programme.

While reacting to the state government’s decision to kill violent dogs, Gandhi said in Delhi that it was “unlawful and unscientific” and warned the state that such acts would make canines more hostile.

“You keep on saying kill, kill…. You keep killing and they keep biting. In such a situation, a dog becomes more hostile,” she said, adding that the decision to kill dogs would be misused. She said the state did not spend the money given by the Union Animal Welfare Board to properly sterilise dogs. Gandhi also blamed growing urbanisation and waste accumulation for the stray menace in the state. The issue hit national headlines after a 65-yearold woman died when a pack of dogs mauled her in Pulluvila in Thiruvananthapuram district last week. Hearing her cries, her son rushed to her rescue but he was also attacked by the violent pack. Following the gruesome incident, the state government had decided to do away with dangerous stray dogs. The state has reported 340 biting cases in 10 days.