Allegation of stray dog culling prompts police to search waste treatment plant in Munnar New
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The search operation by the police at the Munnar panchayat-owned waste treatment plant at Kallar near Munnar on Monday.
The Munnar police on Monday conducted a search at the waste treatment plant owned by the Munnar panchayat at Kallar in Idukki following allegations that the panchayat had culled and buried 200 stray dogs there.
Recently, M.M. Keerthidas and M.B. Omana, animal welfare activists at Thodupuzha, submitted a petition to the Chief Minister and the Munnar police, alleging that the authorities of the Munnar panchayat had captured 200 stray dogs and buried them in an abandoned well at the waste treatment plant. The complaint also stated that the dogs were captured on July 24 and 25 and transported on panchayat-owned vehicles. Based on the complaint, the Munnar police registered a case against the panchayat authorities.
Based on the complaint, the Munnar police conducted a detailed search on the waste treatment plant with the assistance of earthmovers and only recovered the carcasses of four dogs.
Munnar panchayat vice president Marsh Peter denied the allegations and said that the panchayat did not kill stray dogs. “The recovered carcasses are of dogs that were recently killed after being hit by a vehicle in Munnar town. Last week, the panchayat caught a few dogs to be vaccinated. But the doctor did not arrive on time, and the animals were released near the Old Munnar ground,” said Mr. Peter. “The panchayat never directed anyone to kill or bury dogs,” said Mr. Peter.
‘High-level probe’
Environmentalist M.N. Jayachandran alleged that the panchayat authorities had on Sunday night shifted the carcasses of the dogs from the waste treatment plant. “Only a high-level probe can bring out the details. I had written to the Chief Minister, the Animal Welfare Board, and the district police demanding a fair probe into the issue,” said Mr. Jayachandran.
Around 50 people have been bitten by stray dogs in the Munnar hill station in two months, say panchayat officials. According to tourism stakeholders, stray dogs pose a serious threat to tourists at the hill station.
