Concern for stray dogs
BENGALURU
Stray dogs are being caught across the city and sent to temporary shelters. Some animal lovers have expressed their displeasure that this is a violation of the Supreme Court order and AWBI SOP. A media conference was held at the Bangalore Press Club regarding this.
Animal welfare activists and NGOs in the city have raised their voices against the ‘grave misuse’ of taxpayers’ money. 184 dogs have been caught in the city without following proper procedures. The Greater Bengaluru Authority is implementing the Supreme Court order and AWBI SOP incorrectly, which could have major repercussions in the future, the media was told at a press conference.
Actress and founder of Prana Foundation, Samyuktha Horanadu, said, the Supreme Court order is completely inconsistent. What is worse is the way the Greater Bengaluru Authority is implementing the order. These temporary shelters are nothing but ABC centers. If healthy dogs are packed here, who will manage the ABC. The system is very corrupt. The situation has come to a point where the poor dogs are suffering. I am completely against this decision, it is inconsistent, she expressed her displeasure.
Manjari Chaitanya, founder of South Bangalore Cares, alleged, these dogs are being taken to rural areas where rabies cases are more common than in the city, and ABC is not being implemented properly there.
South Bengaluru Cares lawyer Satvik Putta said, as per the Supreme Court order, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) should build permanent shelters with specific dimensions as stipulated in the AWBI SOP. The temporary shelters proposed by the authority are only ABC centers and are not part of this process.
Vikash Bafna, founder of Friends for Animals Trust, said, after meeting Chief Secretary Dr Shalini Rajneesh and Commissioner Vikas Suralkar, said that he will catch the dogs and send them to these temporary shelters. Please do not take hasty decisions. This may bring dishonor to the Supreme Court verdict. As studies and research show, ABC is the only humane and effective way. But it is not being implemented properly across the state.
