Opposition MLAs in Karnataka have called on the state government to urgently implement Supreme Court directives to address the growing stray dog menace, emphasizing the need to protect residents, particularly around key areas like Vidhana Soudha and the Legislators' Home. The demand follows a recent Supreme Court order directing Delhi-NCR authorities to relocate stray dogs to shelters promptly, citing the "extremely grim" situation caused by dog bites and rabies, especially among children.
The issue gained traction after two college students were attacked by stray dogs on the Jnanabharathi campus near Kengeri, requiring hospitalization. During a Karnataka Assembly session, JD(S) floor leader C B Suresh Babu stressed the need for statewide action by municipal corporations to safeguard children. Senior BJP MLA Suresh Kumar echoed this, noting that Bengaluru alone reported 18,000 dog bite cases and 18 rabies infections in the past six months. He urged extending the Supreme Court’s directives to cities like Bengaluru, Mangaluru, and Mysuru.
BJP MLA C N Ashwath Narayan highlighted the stray dog problem even within the Vidhana Soudha premises, the seat of Karnataka’s legislature, calling it a serious issue with approximately two lakh dog bite incidents reported statewide. “The government must act, and the Supreme Court’s orders should apply here too,” he said, suggesting stray dogs could be sent to shelters or dog lovers’ homes.
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The debate intensified as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah faced criticism for his stance. On Tuesday, he tweeted that treating stray dogs as a nuisance to be “removed” is cruel, advocating for humane solutions like sterilization, vaccination, and community care. However, opposition MLAs criticized the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) Rs 2.88 crore plan to feed 4,000 street dogs, with Suresh Babu sarcastically remarking, “Instead of serving biryani to dogs, authorities should control their menace.”
The stray dog issue also affects the Legislators' Home, where BJP MLA Umanatha Kotian reported that dogs prevent legislators from stepping outside. Speaker U T Khader expressed frustration, noting conflicting views among legislators—some support keeping the dogs, while others want them removed. In February, Khader had announced plans to build shelters and collaborate with NGOs to manage stray dogs on the Vidhana Soudha premises without relocating them.
The opposition’s push for action underscores the urgency of addressing the stray dog crisis in Karnataka, balancing public safety with humane treatment of animals, as the state grapples with rising dog bite incidents and public concern.
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