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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The New Indian Express

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

Sources

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