Tue Jun 17 18:09:42 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

A stray dog in Kannur, India, bit over 50 people near the new bus stand before being found dead. This incident has triggered a dispute between the Kannur district panchayat and the city Corporation regarding responsibility for managing the stray dog population. The district panchayat claims it’s the local bodies’ responsibility, while the Mayor accuses the panchayat of inaction on the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program, leading to increased stray dogs. The Corporation claims to have allocated funds for the ABC program.

**News Article:**

**Stray Dog Attack Sparks Blame Game in Kannur Over Rising Dog Population**

**KANNUR, INDIA – June 17, 2025** – A stray dog attack near the new bus stand in Kannur on Tuesday evening resulted in over 50 people seeking treatment at the district hospital, reigniting a long-standing dispute between local authorities over the management of the stray dog population. The dog, which reportedly bit numerous individuals, was found dead hours after the incident.

The Kannur district panchayat and the city Corporation are now locked in a blame game over who bears the responsibility for controlling the growing number of stray dogs. K.K. Rathnakumari, president of the district panchayat, stated, “It is not the responsibility of the district panchayat to manage stray dogs. That falls under the jurisdiction of local bodies.”

Kannur Mayor Muslih Madathil countered, accusing the district panchayat of inaction, specifically regarding the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program. “Give us the power, and we will end this street dog nuisance,” he asserted. Madathil further claimed that the Kannur Corporation has already allocated ₹20 lakh for the ABC program, which falls under the district panchayat’s purview. “If the district panchayat president is now blaming us, the money should be returned to us.”

Despite the disagreement, Madathil confirmed that efforts are underway to capture aggressive stray dogs. He reiterated that the district panchayat’s failure to effectively implement the ABC program is the primary cause of the increased stray dog population.

The incident has raised concerns among Kannur residents and underscores the urgent need for a collaborative and effective strategy to address the growing problem of stray dogs in the region.

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