Drive against stray dogs resumes in Bangalore

The drive against stray dogs in Bangalore resumed yesterday in the wake of the Karnataka High Court’s direction to the municipal authorities to take “lightning” action to rid the City of its stray dog menace.

A team of expert dog-catchers from Ahmedabad began rounding up the canines in various localities of Bangalore along with personnel from the Greater Bangalore Municipal Corporation (GBMC).

Acting on public interest litigation, a division bench of Karnataka High Court had directed the GBMC expeditiously tackle the stray dog menace in areas coming under its jurisdiction. The court also ordered that the authorities should spare no efforts to ensure human safety.

The GBMC authorities, which had launched a campaign to put to sleep diseased and mad dogs after three children were killed in canine attacks, had slowed down the drive in the face of stiff opposition from animal lovers objecting to the “cruelty” meted out to the canines.

But, the court order has left them with no option, but to resume the drive. The expert team from Ahmedabad had arrived in the City at the invitation of GBMC to take up animal birth control programme in Bangalore.

“We will be paying them (expert team from Ahmedabad) Rs 375 and Rs 395 for every male and female dog respectively they trap, neuter and release”, a statement issued by GBMC Deputy Commissioner (Health) Manu Baligar said.

The GBMC is also setting up new dog pounds and upgrading the existing ones in a bid to eradicate the stray dog menace in Bangalore.