In view of rising dog bite cases in Kerala, the state government has approached the Supreme Court, requesting it to allow euthanasia or culling of violent and vicious stray dogs, specifically those suspected of having contracted rabies, reported LiveLaw.
The Standing Counsel for the Kerala government, advocate CK Sasi, submitted, "Our issue is pertaining to the matter of rabid/feral dogs. While the State Act and Rules provide for 'destruction of dogs' that are violent or rabid, no culling is undertaken currently as it is regarded as contrary to the Central Rules. When there is a zoonotic disease outbreak, the culling of animals or birds (for bird flu or swine flu) is undertaken to prevent the spread. However, in the case of rabid dogs, they are only to be isolated till they die."