India: Enact Humane Management for Stray Dog Populations

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In response to a string of attacks by stray dogs and government inaction regarding the issue, **members of the Kerala Congress Youth Front beat approximately 10 dogs to death, then tied five of the carcasses to a pole and paraded the dead dogs through the streets**.

Four people have been arrested with under section 428 and 429 of IPC and Section 11 of Prevention of Cruelty against animals, but public opinion supports the animal abusers and their brutal massacre. According to _The News Minute_: "A prominent Malayalam paper called it 'a protest with a difference.' A local paper said 'murderous dogs have been given capital punishment.'"

India has a massive stray dog problem, and the government has consistently failed to control the stray dog population and protect people. In 2014, the Kerala Health Department reported 119,000 bites and 10 deaths from stray dogs. Anger at dog attacks and bureaucratic inaction is understandable, but **their cruel response is unjustifiable**.

In the past, national programs to manage the stray dog crisis have fizzled due to a lack of commitment when the story is out of the media forefront, but if the Kerala Congress Youth Front and the media response to their actions is any indication, this is no small or short-term issue.

Sterilization programs can help keep stray populations in check, while local education programs can better inform people how to safely interact with stray dogs. Tell the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate which oversees the Animal Welfare Board of India, the National Institute of Animal Welfare, and the enforcement of the Prevention to Cruelty to Animals Act, to **develop and commit to the implementation of a nationwide program which works with locals to ensure stray dog populations are humanely managed**.