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Kerala government has approved a standard operating procedure (SOP) for implementing Supreme Court guidelines in the euthanasia of stray dogs.
Considering the increasing cases of stray dog attacks, the Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the issue and, in its May 19 judgment, allowed euthanasia in cases involving rabid, ill, or demonstrably dangerous and aggressive dogs. Accordingly, the SOP has stated that stray dogs subjected to euthanasia should be of specific categories such as incurably ill, mortally wounded, rabid, violent or ferocious.
The respective local bodies should form a stray dog management committee to monitor activities such as control and management of stray dogs, implementation of euthanasia and conduct local-level audits. The head of the local body will be the chairperson of SDMC while the secretary will be the convenor. Committee members should include ward councillor, veterinary officer, project-in-charge of the animal birth control (ABC) centre, medical officer and a representative of the State Animal Welfare Board.
As per the SOP, euthanasia should be conducted only in a humane manner and on the basis of a specific written recommendation of the SDMC. Only a qualified veterinary surgeon should carry out the procedure, it said. The SOP also prohibits euthanasia in the presence of other dogs.
The SOP allows only intravenous use of two drugs, sodium pentobarbital and thiopental sodium, for the procedure. It has strictly barred use of other chemicals that cause pain or mechanical methods for euthanasia.
The SOP makes it mandatory for local bodies to maintain a separate register exclusively for euthanasia. The register should record details of the dog, location from where it was captured, photograph or identification tag, and the specific reason (illness/aggressive behaviour) for euthanasia.
For safe handling of aggressive dogs, the SOP suggested sedation before they are loaded into vehicles for transportation.
“After being captured, stray dogs identified for euthanasia shall be shifted for observation for a period of 2 to 3 days to an isolation kennels under the respective local self government institution or to the nearest ABC shelter. During this period, recognised animal welfare organisations or individuals who express interest in adopting the dogs, may take custody of them within the specified period of 2 to 3 days after capture.
Information relating to stray dogs captured or identified for euthanasia shall be published on the local body’s notice board or through another appropriate mechanism. After taking custody, the person or organisation accepting the dogs shall have full responsibility for their care and related matters,” the SOP said.
The officials implementing the order will be entitled to due protection and no FIR, criminal case or coercive proceedings will be initiated against them for performing their duty.
The expenses related to euthanasia of stray dogs should be borne by concerned local bodies and the State ABC Implementation and Monitoring Committee should conduct a monthly audit of the accounts, it said.
