The #BoycottKerala hashtag took off recently on social media. The supporters appear to be animal lovers who are aghast at the Govt. of Kerala’s alleged decision to cull stray dogs, as a response to a severe spike in deaths and injuries due to stray dog attacks on its citizens.
First, let’s get a bit of a background. Over the past year, there have been over 1 lakh recorded instances of dog bites in Kerala. There have been serious injuries, and a young girl was killed a few weeks back in a stray dog attack.
While it is true that there was the public outcry, and a call from many to cull stray dogs, the Kerala government has NOT gone down that path. Instead, the office of the Chief Minister has ordered that the menace should be dealt with humanely, through a sterilisation drive of the dogs. The government has ordered the animal husbandry department to open 50 sterilisation centres spread across 10 districts. This decision was taken after considering recommendations by animal rights activists.
Here is the decision taken by Kerala State Govt.
We request everyone to stop spreading fallacies and stop spouting anti-Kerala tirades. It’s time to use our wisdom, understand the true facts. While we have immense love for animals, but that doesn’t give us any reason to hate an entire state.
