NDTV: Bangalore divided on killing of dogs

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Bangalore divided on killing of dogs

 

Maya Sharma

 

Sunday, March 11, 2007 (Bangalore):

 

The street dogs of Bangalore have divided the human population over

what is to be done with them.

 

And reports of random killing of healthy stray dogs by the

authorities, which is against the law, made these citizens come out

onto the streets in their defence.

 

" Next to KR Puram there were reports that a dog had been picked up.

When I went to see what was happening it was absolutely brutal. They

were pulling a dog to death. Blood was spouting out of its mouth, "

said a local.

 

" They should not kill the dogs. It will help thieves. They are pet

animals, " said another.

 

New shelters

 

However, the Corporation Commissioner denies the killing of any

healthy dogs.

 

" We are strictly bound and earnestly implementing this dog control

according to the Animal Birth Control rules. We have not been swayed

by public opinion that has demanded the removal of all dogs or swayed

by any kind of ugly emotion or sentiment, " said K Jairaj,

Commissioner, Bruhat Bangalore.

 

" But we have clinically and coolly gone about this task despite the

human misery attached to such issues. We have worked closely first

with the NGOs then the Animal Husbandry Department to make sure the

dogs are humanely treated, " he added.

 

The Corporation says it has closed down nearly 500 unauthorised meat

shops and that in the last week almost 1300 dogs were caught, of which

about 20 per cent were euthanised.

 

Three new dog shelters are to come up shortly and there are plans to

intensify the pet-licensing scheme.

 

But there are those who feel that these protests to save the dogs are

misplaced. This is the area where the young boy was killed.

 

The challenge is to make sure that the public is no longer vulnerable

to dog attacks, while staying within the law that gives protection to

even these homeless animals.