Who let the dogs out! Cubbon Park walkers seek a ban on canines

Rachana Ramesh | NT
Bengaluru

The department of Horticulture has proposed a ban on pet dogs inside Cubbon Park premises following complaints from walkers and joggers. However, a final decision has not been taken. Pet parents are being informed about the proposal, which will be implemented from July 1 if all the stakeholders come to an agreement.

However, dog lovers are enraged. As security personnel at gates began informing people about the proposed ban, the CJ Memorial Trust has started a petition titled ‘No Pet Ban in Cubbon Park - For Dogs Sake’ which has already received more than 8,500 signatures. They are asking not to let all pet parents suffer for the fault of a few.

Pet parents are also okay with the implementation of fine and penalties for poop issues and non-leashing. They also claim to have communicated this to the department, but no action has been taken.

“Many don’t leash their dogs. They do so only until they enter the park and as soon as they are in the premises, the dogs are let free. They also do not scoop their poop, leaving the roads dirty,” said H T Balakrishna, Deputy Director of the Horticulture Department (Cubbon Park). The dogs also enter restricted lawn areas and damage plants, he added.

Although there are around 25-30 boards across the park to raise awareness on the rules pet parents must follow, most of them violate the regulations, he said.

The complaints have been repeated for the past six months and many of them are urging the department to implement the same rules as the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, where pets are not allowed, he added.

S. Umesh, President of Cubbon Park Walkers Association, said the local residents from Sampangiramanagar and Cubbonpet are against pets in Cubbon Park, since senior citizens with health issues can’t walk elsewhere. Certain kids are also scared of dogs, he said.

“On Sundays the park gets dirty, leading to the walkers complaining on Monday morning. Members of the walkers association are sending a signed letter to the horticulture department,” he added.

“They cannot change the rules according to their whims and fancies. They must abide by the regulations put out by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). The high court has given them (AWBI) the power to draw the guidelines. Going against it will be considered as contempt of court,” said Arun Prasad, animal activist, pointing out that the AWBI allows entry of dogs into parks when they are duly leashed and are walked by adults.