The alumni association of a prominent college has announced gold coins to the civic authorities which would kill the maximum number of stray dogs till December 10 in Kerala where four people have lost their lives and over 700 have been injured in canine attacks in the last four months.
In the wake of the incidents in the state, office bearers of Old Students Welfare Association of Pala-based St Thomas College said the "gift" would be given to the heads of panchayats and municipalities across the state where most stray dogs are killed.
The outfit had hit headlines recently for providing air guns at subsidised rates to deal with violent dogs.
Earlier, cash incentives were also offered by a state-based industrialist for culling dogs.
"We are planning to give the gift to panchayat presidents and municipality chairmen in the state who lead in killing maximum number of stray dogs. Our aim is to ensure the safety of people from violent canines," James Pambaykkal, Association General Secretary, said.
Accusing the government of inactivity on the stray dog issue, he said the association was attempting to end the menace with the participation of people.
The gold coins would be bought with the contributions, collected from the representatives of the 1200 member-association, he said.
The weight of the coins would be decided according to the total amount collected, James, a physics post-graduate who passed out from the college in 1984, said.
He said the civic authorities, who apply for the gold coins, should submit day-to-day figures of the culled dogs.
