Stray dogs: Stronger and more aggressive due to this factor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After a hiatus, stray dog attacks are once again on the rise in Kerala. The recent death of a seven-year-old girl from Kollam, who died after being bitten by a rabid stray dog, has heightened concerns about the issue. Despite several initiatives in Kerala to control stray dogs, none of them have been successful. The fact that stray dogs tend to be more aggressive than domesticated dogs is what makes them dangerous.

There are several reasons behind the increasing number of stray dogs in Kerala. Many of these are human-induced factors. One major reason is the easy access to food for the dogs in public spaces. The leftover food discarded in public areas, along with scraps from roadside shops, provides a constant food sources for the stray dogs. This food waste, combined with food from local shops, becomes a resource that attracts stray dogs and allows them to thrive.

Officials from the Animal Husbandry Department state that food waste from roadside shops is not being properly processed, and that street dogs consuming these scraps—rich in protein—are becoming stronger than regular dogs. These dogs, venturing out in search of food, are increasingly turning into a threat. Additionally, raw meat waste from butcher shops is further contributing to their aggressive behaviour.