HUBBALLI: During a hearing last week on a petition filed by the Cubbon Park Walkers Association, Bengaluru, the high court directed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to develop an action plan to control street dogs within Cubbon Park.
The court stated that it intends to take suo-motu cognizance of the situation and that restrictions should be imposed on pet dogs brought to the park by their owners because dogs roaming inside the park disturb morning walkers.
The situation is no different in the twin cities, where joggers and walkers face similar issues posed by stray dogs and cattle in most parks and gardens. Despite numerous requests from walkers and even civic activists to make parks dog-free, the menace of dogs and stray cattle continues to affect walkers.
Pet owners who bring their pets do not even properly chain them. In most parks, there is a lack of security personnel to restrict the entry of dogs and stray cattle. When dogs poop in public places, there is no one to clean it up. Civic activists and walkers have been urging the HDMC to check parks for stray dogs and cattle and to appoint adequate security personnel to remedy the issue.
According to Dr Ravi Saligoudar of the HDMC veterinary department, relocation of stray dogs is not permitted by law, but sterilisation of stray dogs is permitted in order to reduce the stray dog menace. Stray dogs are more common in parks where the fencing has not been properly installed. Such parks can be found primarily in Old Hubballi, Mantur Road, and other areas.
Already, an effective sterilisation programme has been implemented in Hubballi-Dharwad to mitigate the menace of stray dogs, he added.
Suresh Itnal, commissioner of HDMC, stated that the civic body takes routine measures to combat the stray dog and cattle menaces. However, officials will now be asked to organise a special drive to rid parks of stray dogs. Many dogs were caught recently during a stray dog catching drive, he added.
DT Patil, treasurer of Mahatma Gandhi Park Vayuvihar Sangha, stated HDMC officials should install fencing in all parks to reduce the menace of dogs. Many people have been injured in dog attacks, he added.
The court stated that it intends to take suo-motu cognizance of the situation and that restrictions should be imposed on pet dogs brought to the park by their owners because dogs roaming inside the park disturb morning walkers.
The situation is no different in the twin cities, where joggers and walkers face similar issues posed by stray dogs and cattle in most parks and gardens. Despite numerous requests from walkers and even civic activists to make parks dog-free, the menace of dogs and stray cattle continues to affect walkers.
Pet owners who bring their pets do not even properly chain them. In most parks, there is a lack of security personnel to restrict the entry of dogs and stray cattle. When dogs poop in public places, there is no one to clean it up. Civic activists and walkers have been urging the HDMC to check parks for stray dogs and cattle and to appoint adequate security personnel to remedy the issue.
According to Dr Ravi Saligoudar of the HDMC veterinary department, relocation of stray dogs is not permitted by law, but sterilisation of stray dogs is permitted in order to reduce the stray dog menace. Stray dogs are more common in parks where the fencing has not been properly installed. Such parks can be found primarily in Old Hubballi, Mantur Road, and other areas.
Already, an effective sterilisation programme has been implemented in Hubballi-Dharwad to mitigate the menace of stray dogs, he added.
Suresh Itnal, commissioner of HDMC, stated that the civic body takes routine measures to combat the stray dog and cattle menaces. However, officials will now be asked to organise a special drive to rid parks of stray dogs. Many dogs were caught recently during a stray dog catching drive, he added.
DT Patil, treasurer of Mahatma Gandhi Park Vayuvihar Sangha, stated HDMC officials should install fencing in all parks to reduce the menace of dogs. Many people have been injured in dog attacks, he added.
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