CHENNAI: Deputy leader of opposition S
Durai Murugan created a flutter in the assembly on Thursday by demanding that
street
dogs be
culled
as they pose danger to people. With hundreds of
dogs
on streets across the state, people were not able to even walk freely, he said.
“If there were 10 to 20 dogs in an area earlier, now there are more than 100. In some areas, there are more than 200 street dogs. There could be rabid ones among them. To ensure safety of people, they need to be put to sleep,” said Durai Murugan.
Leader of the opposition M K Stalin and his senior colleagues seemed surprised over Durai Murugan’s demand. Many laughed at the idea. State health minister C Vijaya Baskar responded saying street dog population was under control. “Unlike the past when we all were threatened with 14 injections around our stomach if we were bitten by a dog, now there are better treatment options. Vaccines are available and all hospitals across the state are equipped to treat people with dog bites,” said the minister.
He said animal husbandry ministry was spaying street dogs to ensure birth control. “We are taking efforts to keep street dog population under control. There have been no human casualty owing to dog bite in recent times. People need not be unduly worried,” minister said.
Tambaram MLA S R Raja said Peerkankaranai government hospital did not have medicines for dog bites and wanted the minister to provide medicines in all hospitals on a war footing. Raja also demanded upgrading of the hospital with more doctors, nurses and equipment.
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