Efforts to control the population have created conflicts between Indian advocates of public safety and opponents of animal cruelty, and caused international backlash including calls for a boycott of tourism to Kerala.
[1] In 2016, a social worker from Cochin called Jose Maveli was arrested for killing street dogs in large number.
[7][11] Chittilappilly has been arrested under statutes preventing cruelty to animals after tying four stray dogs in front of a police station.
[12] Governmental plans to cull stray dogs have prompted an international campaign to "Boycott Kerala Tourism" in protest.
[15] Union minister Menaka Gandhi has criticized the state government of Kerala for trying to kill stray dogs illegally.