🧑🎤 Talk Boosters – Topic 31: 🗣️ Is It Ethical to Kill Street Dogs for Public Safety?
👨🦽 Talk Boosters – Topic 31
🗣️ Is It Ethical to Kill Street Dogs for Public Safety?
🧑🏫 I. Instructions for Teachers
i. General Instructions:
Introduce the topic and ask learners to speak continuously for 3–5 minutes.
Encourage them to express personal opinions, real-life examples, and discuss the balance between human safety and animal rights.
Let them explore ethical, legal, and emotional angles of the street dog issue in Kerala or their locality.
While the learner is speaking, note grammar or vocabulary errors.
After the speech, provide corrections and model improved sentence structures.
Use the follow-up questions below to extend the discussion for 30–40 minutes.
ii. Topic Instructions:
Ask students to share their views on whether killing street dogs for public safety is ethical.
They can speak about:
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Why street dogs are seen as a public threat
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Incidents involving dog attacks in Kerala or other places
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Government policies and court rulings
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Animal birth control, shelters, and alternatives
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Moral responsibility towards animals
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Safety of children, elderly, and common people
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The role of media in shaping public opinion
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Solutions that balance compassion and safety
Encourage the use of opinion phrases like:
👉 I believe, In my opinion, I strongly feel, It's not right to..., It’s a sensitive issue because...
💬 Useful Verbs & Phrases:
👉 protect, sterilize, relocate, attack, threaten, adopt, euthanize, control the population, animal rights, public fear, awareness, compassion
🗣️ Example Starter:
"In my opinion, it is not ethical to kill street dogs just because they are seen as a threat. While public safety is important, we should look for humane solutions like sterilization, building shelters, and creating awareness. Killing animals should be the last resort, not the first step."
🌍 II. Follow-up Questions to Extend the Topic:
1️⃣ Why do street dogs become a problem in cities and villages?
2️⃣ Do you think all street dogs are dangerous?
3️⃣ Have you seen or heard of a dog attack in your area?
4️⃣ What is the government's responsibility in this issue?
5️⃣ Are Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs effective?
6️⃣ Should people feed street dogs in public places?
7️⃣ What are the alternatives to killing street dogs?
8️⃣ How can adoption help reduce the number of stray dogs?
9️⃣ What role can NGOs and animal lovers play in solving this issue?
🔟 Is it right to kill one species to protect another?
1️⃣1️⃣ How do foreign countries handle stray animals?
1️⃣2️⃣ Can awareness campaigns reduce fear of street dogs?
1️⃣3️⃣ What safety measures can be taken in schools or parks?
1️⃣4️⃣ What is your opinion about killing aggressive animals?
1️⃣5️⃣ Is it fair to punish all dogs for the actions of a few?
1️⃣6️⃣ Can training or sheltering change a dog’s behavior?
1️⃣7️⃣ Should dog bite victims get free treatment from the government?
1️⃣8️⃣ Can technology or apps help track and manage stray dogs?
1️⃣9️⃣ What message should media send about street dogs?
2️⃣0️⃣ Is this more of a people problem than a dog problem?
Today, we are discussing a topic that is both sensitive and critical in the context of public safety and animal welfare: “Is It Ethical to Kill Street Dogs for Public Safety?”
SAMPLE 1: Supporting the Killing of Street Dogs for Public Safety
In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the increasing population of street dogs in many parts of Kerala. With frequent news of dog attacks, including tragic incidents involving children, the safety of the public has become a major issue. While it may sound harsh, some believe that in extreme cases, the killing of aggressive or uncontrollable street dogs is a necessary step to protect human lives.
First and foremost, public safety should always be the top priority. When a community is at risk, difficult decisions sometimes need to be made. Children cannot walk to school safely, the elderly are afraid to leave their homes, and joggers and cyclists often face aggressive dogs on the streets. These are not rare situations but increasingly common experiences across Kerala.
Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs and sterilization campaigns have not always been effective due to poor implementation, lack of resources, and administrative delays. Moreover, the stray dog population is growing faster than authorities can manage, and temporary solutions are not enough. In such a crisis, the humane euthanisation of dangerous dogs—under veterinary supervision—may be seen as a last but necessary resort.
Many developed countries also take strict actions against dangerous animals when public safety is threatened. It’s not about cruelty—it’s about preventing worse consequences. If a known dangerous dog injures or kills a child, the question arises: could this have been prevented?
It's also important to note that street dogs carry the risk of rabies and other infections. Despite vaccination drives, full coverage is nearly impossible. In such cases, public health is at stake, and strong measures may be justified.
Of course, killing every street dog is not the solution. But in cases where there are repeated attacks or proven threats, the ethical choice might be to act in defense of human life. Emotions aside, sometimes the responsible action is the difficult one.
SAMPLE 2: Opposing the Killing of Street Dogs – A Humane Perspective
On the other side of the argument, many people believe strongly that street dogs have the right to live just like any other being. Killing them—even in the name of safety—is not only unethical but also inhumane and ineffective in the long run.
First, not all street dogs are dangerous. In fact, many are friendly, timid, or simply trying to survive. Generalising the actions of a few aggressive dogs to the entire stray population is unfair. Mass killings, especially without proper assessment, can lead to cruelty, fear, and public outrage.
Kerala, known for its progressive and educated society, should be able to set an example in handling this issue ethically. The Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, if implemented properly, is a proven and humane method to control the stray dog population. Sterilisation, vaccination, and public awareness are the keys to long-term success.
Shelters, adoption drives, and community participation can offer better alternatives. There are many examples where communities have adopted and cared for local dogs, creating a bond of trust and mutual respect. In fact, street dogs often act as natural guards of a locality.
Moreover, the killing of street dogs is often counterproductive. Studies show that removing dogs from an area only leads to the vacuum being filled by new strays. This is called the "vacuum effect." Instead of reducing problems, it may simply shift them.
From an ethical point of view, life is valuable. If we justify killing animals to make our lives easier, where do we draw the line? Compassion is what separates a civilised society from a fearful one. Education, not extermination, is the solution.
In conclusion, while the fear and anger of victims are understandable, mass killing is not the answer. What we need is a well-planned, compassionate, and collaborative solution that respects both human safety and animal rights.
Thank you for listening to both perspectives. It’s now time to reflect, discuss, and find a solution that upholds both safety and ethics.
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