Location: Boyampalayam, Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu
Date: 11 June 2018
Nature of Issue: Action to protect dogs in response to dog bites
FIAPO's action: FIAPO worked with local organisations and the government authorities to facilitate swift action in the area regarding ABC, ARV, and education and counselling of the affected community. FIAPO also supported the Tiruppur administration by providing them with counselling material that could be used in the local government hospital for dog-bite patients.
Response of community: It was so great to see Thangam Memorial Trust, a local NGO, take such quick action in the local community! The NGO conducted ABC-ARV drives in the affected area, and also conducted a workshop on dog-bite and rabies prevention for the affected people. The NGO is also working with the police to ensure no such action will occur in the future.
Response of the government: In this case, the following is the government’s response:

• All dog-bite patients have been given post-bite treatment, including rabies immunoglobulin
• A separate ABC and ARV programme has been done in the affected area, in addition to the general programmes that are ongoing in the city
• The government has agreed to start a counselling facility for dog-bite patients in its local hospital

A Brief Insight into the Case
The recent Tiruppur case - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/stray-dog-menace-at-boyampalayam/articleshow/64514439.cms, was one in which a dog bit 8 people, and was then killed by the local community.

In response to this, and to ensure that it did not spiral into violence against innocent street dogs, FIAPO wrote to the Tiruppur local administration. The Tiruppur municipal corporation undertook an ABC-ARV programme for all dogs in the affected community. The local officials are working with the local organisation to ensure that the violence is not meted out to dogs. Additionally, the local health administration of Tiruppur has agreed to start a counselling facility for dog-bite patients later on this month. Most importantly, the affected community was spoken to about dog-bite and rabies prevention, to stem future preventable bites and violence against animals. FIAPO’s partner organisatinon – Thangam Memorial Trust, was a key stakeholder in getting this action implemented.

To read the letter to the Municipal Corporation Commissioner, click here.
To read the letter to the District Collector, click here.
To read the letter to the Superintendent of Police, click here.