Sally Kannan has so far caught more than 2,000 stray dogs. She catches them with her bare hands and accompanies them in vehicles.Ever heard of someone who studied journalism chase dogs most of the time? Sally Kannan is one. It was not an unexpected move for Sally, a native of Varayidam in Thrissur, to become a dog-catcher. She had always wanted to be a veterinary doctor. Sally did not pursue this dream as studying it would involve cutting up animals. Watching animals in pain is an unbearable sight. After completing her journalism studies, Sally decided to take care of animals and enrolled as a volunteer with the animal welfare group, PAWS (Pet Animal Welfare Society).
It's service, not fun
"Our mission is to prevent the cruel killing of stray dogs. We help in catching dogs, sterilising them with the help of doctors and releasing them back to the streets. This is not a pleasant task as dogs that would be caught would be injured and bleeding most of the time. The wait for treatment would be long. It is important to give first aid under such circumstances. This made me pursue a training course from the Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) in Ooty.’
Sally’s husband Kannan, an animal lover like her, too took part in the training course. The course, among other things, taught them how to catch stray dogs, take care of them and give them first aid. Now Sally is well equipped to give first aid on her own.
Sally who has received an honorary welfare officer certificate from the Animal Welfare Board has the right to take cases against those who behave cruelly towards animals. She works as a member of the Humans Society International. One of the objectives of the society is to catch stray dogs and sterilise them as per anti-rabies and animal birth control norms.
Sally belongs to a family of animal lovers. Her father Balakrishna Varma and mother Shobha had raised many pets at home.
She narrated a touching incident that motivated her to taker up animal care seriously. "A puppy used to wait for me every day while I was on the way to school. We would proceed to the school together. One day dog catchers killed him right in front of my eyes. Though I cried and pleaded, they did not listen to me. I felt the need to protect dogs from then on."
Need for attitudinal change
Sally has so far caught more than 2,000 stray dogs. She catches them with her bare hands and accompanies them in vehicles. The dogs are sterilised, given anti-rabies injections and after their wounds heal, they are set free. Sally is probably the only woman in Kerala to engage in this occupation. She is often looked down upon and teased for what she does.
"The moment people see stray dogs, they throw stones at them. Many a time, dogs attack us out of fear. We have nothing to gain by killing these mute animals. The lack of proper awareness is the real problem."
Sally also takes care of abandoned animals and helps those interested in adopting dogs. Her husband Kannan and son Niranjan support her activities. Sally has received the Indian president’s medal for being one among 100 selected women who render exemplary service to the country.
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