Everytime you think people of Kerala cannot fall any lower they ensure you stand corrected
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Canine-Horror-Airgun-offered-on-rebate-to-shoot-strays/articleshow/54689357.cms
KOCHI: On the same day as the Supreme Court slammed Kerala for `killing stray dogs for celebration’, a college alumni association kick-started another anti-stray dog programme here–retailing of air guns at subsidised prices for the public to cull street dogs. “A discount of 10% can be availed by anyone troubled by the stray dogs for purchasing the airgun. A flat 25% off will be offered for those who have at least one pending police case against them on street-dog culling,” James Pambakkal, the general secretary of St. Thomas college old students welfare association said.
However, he expects the gun-owners will use it only once. After killing one dog, they should pass on their guns to their friends and neighbours. “Second-time offenders have to shell out Rs 50,000 fine and go to prison for a couple of months if they are booked for animal rights violation,” James said.
First-time offenders, on the other hand, will have to pay up just Rs 50. So, there will be plenty of trigger-happy , self-proclaimed `human rights activists’,” he said.
James said that over two dozen air guns have already been distributed among the association members and that many others have placed orders.
However, the catch is in the feasibility of killing anything, let alone dogs, with the 5.5 mm airguns.
“These are guns that even 4-year-olds use for sport practice sessions. The maximum range of the gun is 35 metre,” said Sajan K Paulose, proprietor of the Cochin Armoury .
“These guns cannot kill a dog but the minor injuries that will be inflicted on the animals are bound to make it more humanfearing and resultantly , more aggressive, aggravating the situation even further,” says Aswini Prem, an animal rights activist. The inauguration of the initiative was done by gifting an airgun by the association vice president George Joseph to Jose Maveli, the founder-chairman of Janaseva Sisubhavan who has 6 pending police cases on killing dogs.
“I don’t kill dogs. I don’t even touch them as I’m scared of them. But if a gun is gifted for free, why not take it home?” Jose Maveli asked.
