Thiruvananthapuram Stray Dog Shelter Faces Violent Protests Over Alleged Illegal Operation
Protests erupted on Sunday in Thiruvananthapuram against a private stray dog shelter functioning at Nagapuram near Poovar, where the city corporation recently shifted 50 stray dogs as part of a rehabilitation process two days ago. The demonstration turned tense as protesters allegedly vandalised the front portion of the shelter, damaging the gate and signage during the afternoon rally.
Locals Demand Immediate Closure Over Safety and Sanitation Issues
Local residents and elected representatives demanded the immediate closure of the shelter, alleging that it was operating without mandatory permissions from the Karumkulam grama panchayat. Protesters raised serious concerns about safety, sanitation, and public health in the densely populated area due to the influx of dogs.
According to protesters, the shelter has been functioning for over a year, with the number of dogs housed there steadily increasing during this period. They claimed that repeated complaints were submitted to the grama panchayat, district administration, and the collector, but no concrete action followed.
Protesters accused panchayat authorities of failing to issue even a stop memo despite alleged violations. They also accused the corporation of attempting to "dump urban problems, including stray dogs and waste, into rural areas."
Mayor Calls Protests Politically Motivated
Meanwhile, Mayor V V Rajesh called the protest politically motivated. He stated that DYFI and left organisations had no objections when around 140 stray dogs were housed in the same shelter over the past few years.
"Now when the corporation shifted the dogs there, they are protesting. It is a politically motivated move. However, we will continue our action and we ignore the protests," he said.
He also added that the corporation would soon take over seven acres of land in the city for the dog shelter, indicating plans for a more permanent solution.
Shelter Founder Defends Animal Welfare Initiative
Responding to the controversy, Sangeetha Iyer, founder of Naughty's Pet Sanctuary, said the shelter was established purely with animal welfare in mind and rejected allegations of illegal activity.
"This initiative was started out of love for animals and with the intention of providing care to abandoned, injured and sterilised dogs. We are not running this as a commercial venture. We are ready to cooperate with authorities and resolve the concerns of locals through dialogue," she said.
Poovar police registered a case based on a complaint lodged by Iyer regarding the vandalism during the protest.
Corporation's Broader Stray Dog Management Plan
The protest comes even as the Thiruvananthapuram corporation began implementing a broader plan for humane stray dog management. As part of this initiative, 50 stray dogs were recently shifted to the shelter in Poovar after sterilisation, vaccination and recovery at the animal birth control centre at Vandithadam.
The dogs were captured from various public places including:
- Medical College
- General Hospital
- University College
- National highways
- Thampanoor and Kochuveli railway station premises
Corporation officials said the relocation was carried out in line with Supreme Court guidelines and that future transfers would be undertaken only after ensuring legal compliance and coordination with local self-government institutions.
The situation remains tense in Nagapuram as authorities, protesters, and animal welfare activists continue to clash over the appropriate management of stray dogs in urban and rural areas of Thiruvananthapuram district.
