Bengaluru's stray dog menace: Activists advocate stricter laws

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Bengaluru's escalating stray dog population, estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands, has become a pressing issue for the city. Factors contributing to this surge include irresponsible pet ownership, rapid urbanisation displacing wildlife and inadequate sterilisation programmes.

The increase in stray dogs has raised concerns about public safety, hygiene and disease transmission, underscoring the need for effective management strategies that address both animal welfare and community needs.

The Bengaluru Brigade for Animal Liberation has highlighted several critical issues exacerbating the situation. They point out that a poor understanding of human-animal conflict is due to a lack of awareness campaigns by authorities.

This, combined with limited resources and increasing triggers like vehicles and people, contributes to the growing conflict. Furthermore, there is a significant gap in understanding animal protection laws and behaviour, even among animal lovers.

Key recommendations include establishing designated feeding spots to reduce conflicts and addressing rising cases of animal cruelty with stricter penalties. The group also emphasises the need for a robust sterilisation drive, citing issues like relocation and fraudulent practices where animals are falsely reported as sterilised.

Additionally, public harassment of feeders should be addressed by the police, and dedicated officers for animal cases are necessary. There is also a call for public sensitisation campaigns to encourage sheltering animals during adverse weather conditions and adopting community animals instead of buying exotic breeds.

To mitigate the conflict between feeders and residents, fixed feeding stations should be set up every 2-3 streets, and cleaning personnel should maintain these areas.