After councillors flag disparities, Kochi Corporation tightens monitoring of dog-catching squads

KOCHI The Kochi Corporation is set to appoint a health inspector to coordinate requests from councillors for the deployment of dog-catching squads and maintain a division-wise register recording the date and time of each operation. The move follows widespread complaints from councillors in West Kochi alleging discrimination in the allocation of dog-catching services when the agenda for discussing the contract of a dog catcher came up for discussion in the recent council meeting. They alleged that dog-catching squads visited their divisions far less frequently than others.

Mayor V.K. Minimol said a 15-day advance schedule would be prepared for deploying dog-catching squads, with changes permitted only in emergencies. Admitting that the councillors had a valid concern, the Mayor said discontinuing the contract would only aggravate the situation, as repeated tenders had failed to attract sufficient dog catchers.

LDF parliamentary party leader V.A.