Woof! Auto-rickshaw anybody?

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kallumooti is a real favourite among auto-rickshaw drivers at the railway station and the adjoining bus stop in the Kerala capital. The dog is good at soliciting passengers for them, especially at night.

Everyday the five-year-old stray dog arrives in front of the railway station around dusk and is on duty till early morning, barking to attract the attention of those alighting from trains and buses.

At night, when passengers may find it difficult to find the auto-rickshaw stand in the darkness, Kallumooti lends a helping hand, signalling that there are vehicles waiting to be hired.

As and when the passengers get into a waiting auto-rickshaw, he again barks, indicating that the driver and passenger can proceed. And he has been doing so for the past five years.

Suni, an auto-rickshaw driver, said: "I hail from the place called Kallumooti in Thiruvananthapuram district and I brought it here about five years back," he said.

That's how Kallumooti the dog got its name. And spending time with Suni quickly made it adept at hailing passengers.

During the day, the dog takes rest in front of a tea stall run by a woman called Shanta, who also feeds it. On a few occasions, Kallumooti has even escaped the clutches of municipal workers out to catch stray dogs!