Public, NGOs should be allowed to provide shelter to aggressive dogs: Karnataka Lokayukta

The Karnataka Lokayukta has proposed that people and NGOs should be allowed to step in to provide shelter for aggressive dogs, as part of a larger push to strengthen measures against the stray dog menace in Bengaluru.  

On September 18, the Special Commissioner (Health and Education), Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), submitted a report on steps taken to increase Animal Birth Control (ABC) surgeries, make better use of kennels, and address staff shortages that have slowed implementation of animal husbandry programmes.

Observation centres

Deputy Director, Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), Dr. Chandraiah assured the Lokayukta that ‘dogs habituated to biting and which are aggressive and ferocious will not be allowed to freely wander around’, and would be housed in observation centres. He also noted that civic authorities were identifying CA sites for setting up dedicated shelter homes. 

The Lokayukta, however, made it clear that responsibility would be fixed if another serious incident were to occur. “Any incident of dog bite or grave incident of dogs attacking and mauling children or old people would be viewed very seriously and for that collective responsibility will be fixed on the erring officials,” it warned, recalling the fatal attack in Yelahanka zone earlier this year. 

“In order to cross verify the assertions, the Special Commissioner and the Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry, GBA, are directed to place before me the statistics regarding the number of dogs subjected to birth control surgery; the number of dogs habituated to biting and aggressive behaviour being segregated and provided shelter at different places; the number of dogs vaccinated; the number of additional observation centres already established or being established. These facts and figures shall be actually provided before this authority,” the order stated, directing further that the same should be communicated to GBA Chief Commissioner and commissioners of all five corporations.

Beyond city limits

The Lokayukta extended its directions beyond city limits, noting that stray dog control cannot remain only under a particular jurisdiction. “So far as Bengaluru Urban and Bengaluru Rural districts are concerned, I find it just and necessary to communicate this order to the Deputy Commissioners of both the districts, and the Chief Executive Officers of the zilla panchayats with instructions to sensitize the officers of the local bodies and other officials concerned of the need to take similar measures to control the dog menace,” it stated.  

The gravity of the issue was highlighted by a petition from the Netravathi Colony Residents’ Welfare Association. The residents mentioned the timely removal of four dogs that were involved in multiple instances of biting people in the colony since June 2024.

“Because of the Lokayukta’s timely directions, the children are happily able to move around the colony’s streets without fear. Even elderly senior citizens are now able to go on daily walks fearlessly,” the association wrote. They urged, however, that the dogs not be returned to the locality, citing Supreme Court directions that habitual biters must not be released back.

The Lokayukta observed that the representation highlighted both the ‘fear psychosis’ residents experience due to stray dog attacks and the relief they feel when swift measures are taken.