’We will not kill strays’

More than 600 citizens force the animal husbandry department to clarify its suggestion of culling stray dogs.

'We will not kill strays'

More than 600 citizens force the animal husbandry department to clarify its suggestion of culling stray dogs.

An online petition launched by citizens last week opposing the city corporation's proposal of culling 50 per cent of stray dogs has resulted in the BBMP declaring that it would not kill stray dogs.

Too many: As per the 2007 census of dogs conducted by both departments,
the stray dog population stands at 1,83,758 File pic

On January 12, the media reported that in Bagalur, close to Bangalore International Airport, a pack of around 15 dogs dragged an 18-month-old child and mauled him to death. On January 14, it was announced that the BBMP would appeal to the Supreme Court with an appeal to ease the rules on culling.

However, on January 19, an online petition signed by more than 600 citizens was filed and sent to BBMP and Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). In response, BBMP has now clarified that it would not kill dogs and instead focus on birth control management.

Declaring that from 2011, BBPM along with other animal welfare organisations will be covering 90,000 sterilisations per year, BBMP Joint Director, Animal Husbandry department, Parvez Ahmad Piran said, "We will not kill dogs. It was a suggestion as a part of a discussion that has been blown out of proportion. We will not kill any dogs unless it is rabid or terminally ill."

According to Piran, as per the 2007 census of dogs conducted by both departments, the stray dog population stands at 1,83,758. He added that any measures taken by the department would be in accordance to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Rules '01.

Encouraged by Piran's response to the petition, Shamalatha Rao, a teacher and petitioner said, "When there is opposition, the authorities have to sit up and take notice. We are on the right side. An online petition works better as it connects many people."u00a0

However, Anjali Sharma, national executive member of AWBI, suggested that sterilisation is the only way out for Bangalore. She added that dogs should be kept back from the place they are collected for birth control programmes.

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