Kerala to Implement Supreme Court‑Mandated Stray Dog Euthanasia, Says Minister Shaji

Kerala state minister K.M. Shaji announced that the government will enforce the Supreme Court‑ordered euthanasia of dangerous stray dogs, using humane methods such as intravenous thiopentone. The move follows the Court’s directive that local bodies set up Animal Birth Control (ABC) monitoring committees to assess dogs qualifying for mercy killing only in exceptional cases.

Recent illegal shootings of stray dogs in Kollam and Wagamon have highlighted gaps in the state’s implementation of the euthanasia protocol. Animal‑welfare groups say many municipalities and panchayats have not formed the required ABC committees, and the limited number of Animal Welfare Board members (four for all 14 districts) hampers timely response. The Local Self‑Government Department now plans to issue fresh orders to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court order and the 2023 ABC rules.

The minister also mentioned related initiatives, including the creation of a waste‑management authority, funding oversight centres for vulnerable groups, and the possible reclassification of panchayats as urban bodies.