Bengaluru: Janata Dal (Secular) MLC S.L.Bhojegowda has claimed that he helped cull 2,800 stray dogs and buried them under trees when he was head of the municipal body in Karnataka’s Chikmagalur.
The statement was made Tuesday in which he went on to assert that he was ready to go to jail to protect children who were targeted by stray dogs.
“If our children or those of the Supreme Court judges face such problems, won’t we take such a decision? When I was the head of the municipal council, I got 2,800 dogs to eat (poisoned) meat, killed them and buried them under coconut trees,” he said at the ongoing monsoon session of the Karnataka legislature.
The statement has drawn backlash in the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s order to shift all stray dogs to shelters in Delhi-National Capital (NCR) region triggering anger and debate across the country.
On Wednesday, Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R.Gavai said that he would look into the issue after he was apprised of the order to shift all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR region to shelters within the next eight weeks.
Meanwhile, Bhojegowda suggested that 10 dogs must be released into every animal lover’s home after the government expressed helplessness.
“We are witnessing dog bite cases daily and victims are being hospitalised. If someone opposes removal of stray dogs from the streets, let the government leave a few dogs in their compounds to make them understand the reality,” said Bhojegowda. “What will they do if a stray bites their children?” he said.
The JD(S) MLC also suggested that the Karnataka government file a petition with the SC to reconsider its earlier orders that only allowed for vaccination and neutering of stray dogs.
“Take a decision and put a petition in the Supreme Court, let’s see. Let it be the first time that any state has asked the SC this,” he said.
Several legislators from across parties were heard chipping into the debate, backing Bhojegowda, and mocking the Karnataka government for giving ‘Biryani Bhagya’ for dogs.
The reference was to a July order by the Bengaluru city corporation that unveiled a Rs 2.88 crore annual programme to feed chicken rice to around 5,000 stray dogs. This would amount to 367 grams of chicken rice per day at a cost of Rs 22 per dog, costing around Rs 36 lakh for each of the eight zones in the IT capital.
Like Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, who made a passionate plea against the SC order, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, too, took the same line on the matter.
“Treating stray dogs as a nuisance to be ‘removed’ is not governance – it is cruelty. Humane societies find solutions that protect people and animals. Sterilisation, vaccination, and community care work. Fear-driven measures only create more suffering, not safety,” the CM posted on ‘X’.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Also Read: Why activists see SC order on removal of stray dogs as ‘violation’ of 2023 ABC rules
SL Bhojegowda did the absolutely correct thing. His compassion for people and his concern for the safety and security of children/elderly outweighs his love for animals. It is something to be appreciated and applauded.
Hope the animal rights “activists” learn from him. Also, The Print seems to be at the forefront of this animal rights movement. Half the articles on the site pertains to the Supreme Court ruling and reactions to it. Each one – patently one sided and biased.
Just another reminder of the oft-repeated un-hyphenated journalism.