High Court appointed amici curiae inspect dog shelter at Kuttichal in Thiruvananthapuram

Amici curiae appointed by the High Court inspected a controversial private dog shelter for stray dogs at Kuttichal in Thiruvananthapuram after People for Animals filed a petition alleging irregularities in handling animals relocated from the Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation. The High Court directed the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation to file a report detailing the exact number of stray dogs captured, the number lodged in shelters, and the status of missing animals ahead of a hearing on November 19. People for Animals alleged procedural concerns after counting fewer dogs than before, and member Sreedevi S Kartha stated, “We suspect that a large number of dogs may have been illegally euthanised.” The Kuttichal grama panchayat suspended the operator’s dog breeding licence and gave a 15-day ultimatum to shift the facility. Panchayat president Radha Jayan stated that the local body will initiate legal and administrative steps to clear the facility if the deadline expires. Feeders and animal welfare advocates can cite these local body actions and High Court monitoring proceedings when questioning municipal relocation records and shelter transparency.

Sources

The New Indian Express

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Thiruvananthapuram: Panchayat voids dog breeding unit licence for running illegal shelter
Kuttichal grama panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram district cancelled the licence of a dog breeding unit on Thursday after an inspection found it illegally sheltering stray dogs captured from Thiruvananthapuram corporation limits. The panchayat had issued the licence four months ago for breeding 50 hybrid dogs, but complaints from residents led authorities to discover the operator was housing stray dogs without permission. Panchayat president Radha Jayan said a notice under the Panchayati Raj Act gives the operator 15 days to relocate the dogs, after which the panchayat will move court. "The facility is being operated against the panchayat’s mandates," Jayan said. Aruvikkara MLA G Stephan demanded the shelter’s immediate closure, alleging irregularities and vested interests, and said captured city dogs cannot be brought there secretly. People for Animal (PFA) recently protested at the corporation office alleging cruelty and corruption in stray dog handling. An RTI response showed the corporation captured around 1,300 dogs, with only 301 currently in shelters, while the Kuttichal shelter holds more than 200. PFA has also approached the Kerala High Court seeking intervention.
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High Court appointed amici curiae inspect dog shelter at Kuttichal in Thiruvananthapuram

Sources

More in Campaigns and Civic Action

Thiruvananthapuram: Panchayat voids dog breeding unit licence for running illegal shelter

PETA’s plea: Celebrities, politicians, scientists sign against Centre’s draft on animal cruelty rules

Stray dog menace: HC decides to develop a city as model in containing the problem

From the Library

Stray dog orders and ABC Rules: AWBI compliance circular

NHAI steps to stop stray animal accidents on highways

Government steps on vet services, dairy and stray dogs