Stray dog menace worsens at Calicut University as food waste, lack of fencing draw more canines to campus

Kozhikode: The menace of stray dogs has become a growing concern inside the Calicut University campus, with the population of strays increasing rapidly in recent months. The rising number of dogs is largely attributed to the abundant availability of food waste across the sprawling campus. Hundreds of stray dogs now roam freely through different parts of the university, from roads and footpaths to office verandahs. Even when security personnel attempt to chase them away, the dogs quickly return.

The presence of stray dogs has also made commuting inside the 450-acre campus difficult for students and staff. University officials admit that no measure will be truly effective until a compound wall is constructed around the campus. With the local administrative bodies turning a blind eye, university authorities have expressed their helplessness in tackling the issue.

Although birth-control vaccinations are administered to these dogs, the effort will have little impact since new strays continue to enter the campus from outside. An earlier plan to set up an Animal Birth Control (ABC) unit within the university premises was shelved after the university authorities objected, stating that the campus should remain dedicated solely to academic activities. Following this decision, both the district administration and the Animal Husbandry Department withdrew from the project.

It is noted that after the redevelopment of the nearby National Highway, many stray dogs that previously lived along the roadside have moved into the campus, worsening the problem.