A day after the Supreme Court directed the removal of stray dogs from the streets of Delhi-NCR, the issue echoed in the Legislative Council with members urging the State government to seek a similar directive from the court, even as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called for a “humane approach”.
Members joined a discussion on the stray dog menace on Tuesday morning, after the Janata Dal (Secular) member S.L. Bhoje Gowda raised the issue and urged the State government to approach the court to highlight the problem.
People are finding it difficult to walk on the streets, he said. “Children of legislators, Ministers, and bureaucrats travel to school in cars. But we have to think about the public who face stray dogs daily,” he said, pointing out several instances of stray attacks across the State.
No provision in law
When Minister for Municipal Administration Rahim Khan said that there was no provision to remove stray dogs from the streets and that they can only be sterilised and vaccinated, several members suggested that the government should ask dog lovers to look after strays if they really care about them.
Mr. Gowda, echoing similar sentiments, said: “When strays from the streets are left on their premises, they [dog lovers] will understand the problem. Dog-bite cases are being reported every day and victims are even being hospitalised.”
When members urged the government to file a petition before the Supreme Court for the removal of strays, the Minister said that the Law Department would be consulted on this matter.
CM takes to X
Meanwhile, Mr. Siddaramaiah said on X: “Treating stray dogs as a nuisance to be removed is not governance. It is cruelty. Humane societies find solutions that protect propel and animals. Sterilisation, vaccination, and community care work. Fear-driven measures only create more sufferings, not safety.”
Thousands killed in Chikkamagaluru
JD(S) member S.L. Bhoje Gowda claimed that over 2,500 stray dogs had been killed in Chikkamagaluru when he was the chairman of the city municipal council.
“To address the stray dog menace, 2,500 dogs were killed and buried in coconut gardens and coffee estates,” he said.
He clarified that there were no laws against the killing of stray dogs at that point in time.
