In a swift move to tackle the rising street dog crisis, authorities in Kannur have announced the establishment of three dedicated dog shelters within the municipal boundaries over the next two days. This step comes in the wake of increasing public concern over a series of dog bite incidents reported across the town.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting led by Minister Kadannappalli Ramachandran, held at the district collector’s office on Friday. Officials concluded that two of the proposed shelters will be located within Kannur Corporation limits, while the third will be situated in the cantonment zone.
The initiative aims to relocate all stray canines wandering across the urban area to these newly planned enclosures, providing a safe and controlled environment for both residents and animals. The minister emphasised that swift action is necessary, especially since over 80 people have reportedly suffered injuries due to dog attacks in just the past few days.
The urgent meeting brought together key stakeholders including District Panchayat President Rathanakumari, District Collector Arun K Vijayan, City Police Commissioner P Nithin Raj, and representatives from the health and animal husbandry departments. Officials from the Indian Railways and the Kannur Cantonment Board were also present, underlining the seriousness of the issue and the collaborative approach being adopted.
The government’s focus is on ensuring public safety while handling the stray dog population with humane and sustainable methods.