Actress bitten while feeding home cooked food to stray dogs

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A leading serial actress was bitten by stray dogs while feeding them. The victim has been identified as Bharathannoor Santha (64) of Kochuvayal. The incident happened last evening.

Santha regularly delivered food to the stray dogs. She used to bring home cooked food and feed the dogs on the road. While feeding them, a dog unexpectedly bit her right hand. She was immediately taken to the hospital and is suspected to have bitten by a rabid dog.

Stray dog attacks are on the rise in the state. A college student was bitten by a stray dog yesterday. Abhay, a native of Thiruvananthapuram Kallara Kuttimoodu, was bitten in her hand. She is undergoing treatment at the Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital.

Meantime, Minister J Chinchu Rani informed that an intensive drive to vaccinate stray dogs in the state will be conducted from September 20 to October 20 and from the beginning of next month, the animal welfare department will start 37 more centres for sterilization and this is according to the rabies free Kerala scheme.

The aim is to completely reduce the number of stray dogs by 2025. A place where more than 10 people bitten by dogs (more than 10 in a month) under the limits of local bodies will be made hot spots and priority will be given for vaccination. There are 170 total hot spots. 78 dog catchers have been entrusted for vaccination. The expenses will be borne by the local bodies.

So far, two lakh doses of the vaccine have been administered to dogs. Four lakh doses were distributed to veterinary hospitals in various districts. Steps have been taken to buy four lakh more doses. A single dose of the vaccine costs Rs 10.

Veterinary doctors and dog catchers have been selected on contract basis for sterilization centres. They will be trained. Centres have been started in Alappuzha, Kannur, Thrissur and Kottayam. 7.7 crore has been earmarked for the ABC program in 340 local bodies in the state. The State Co-ordination Committee has decided to make vaccination and licensing mandatory for pet dogs.