Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 23 (IANS): The Kerala government has decided to cull all "ferocious dogs" after 50 strays killed a 65-year-old woman here last week, a minister said on Tuesday.

Minister for Local Self Government K.T. Jaleel told reporters that the government was aware of the feelings of the people following the ghastly incident.

"The immediate steps that will be taken will be to cull ferocious dogs. All the local bodies have been asked to ... initiate Animal Birth Control programme among dogs," said Jaleel.

Vijyan called an emergency meeting of all department heads to immediately address the fear of the public over the frequent attacks by stray dogs in the state.

"Waste disposal has become a major issue in the state. We are speaking to a Japanese company which has agreed to set up a pilot waste treatment plant at their expense and will be operated by them free of cost for three years. We plan to set up this plant at Kochi," added Jaleel.