Oversaw killing of 2,800 stray dogs, buried as compost: Karnataka MLC sparks row

JD(S) Karnataka Legislative Council member SL Bhojegowda has come under fire after his remarks during a council discussion on the stray dog issue.

Speaking in the assembly today, Bhojegowda stated that while serving as head of the Chikkamagaluru municipal council, he oversaw the killing of 2,800 stray dogs.

He added that the dogs were buried under trees “to serve as natural compost,” a comment that appeared to be delivered in a boastful manner. The statement has drawn widespread criticism from animal rights advocates and the public.

His comments come at a time when the Supreme Court has issued stern directives to civic authorities in Delhi and the National Capital Region to immediately catch, sterilise, and permanently relocate stray dogs to shelters, warning of strict action against anyone obstructing the process.

The court’s action plan includes building CCTV-monitored shelters, picking up 5,000 stray dogs from vulnerable areas within six weeks, and creating a helpline for dog bites and rabies.

According to the Karnataka State Surveillance Unit’s infectious disease report, Karnataka recorded 2.86 lakh dog bite cases and 26 deaths due to suspected rabies from January to August 2025. Between August 4 and 10 alone, 5,652 dog bite cases were reported, though no rabies-related deaths were recorded during that week.

In a recent Bengaluru incident, two college students, Sujanya G J from Haveri and Rega Nikshitha from Telangana, were hospitalised after being attacked by a pack of stray dogs on the Bengaluru University campus near Kengeri. “They are fine now. But we are awaiting a detailed veterinary report,” said Suralkar Vikas Kishor, Special Commissioner (Health and Sanitation), BBMP.

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