Ahead of a crucial Supreme Court hearing, animal welfare advocates in Bengaluru took to the streets to voice their concerns over the treatment of stray dogs. On Sunday, a peaceful demonstration was held at Freedom Park, aligning with nationwide calls for compassion towards animals.
Protesters Demand Action and Accountability
Nearly 300 people participated in the protest, holding placards and chanting slogans that emphasized co-existence and an end to cruelty. The gathering, organized ahead of the Supreme Court's scheduled hearing on January 7 regarding the relocation of stray dogs from institutional areas, had clear demands.
The protesters called on the state government and the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) to immediately halt all illegal dog pickups. A central demand was the formation of an independent oversight committee to ensure the implementation of Supreme Court orders and to curb corruption in the process.
"We want an oversight committee comprising animal welfare people, not bureaucrats who are clueless about anything other than filling their pockets," stated Manjari Chaitanya, founder of South Bengaluru Cares.
Health Risks and Systemic Failure
Dr. Rajan, a veterinarian present at the protest, highlighted severe public health risks associated with the current approach of large-scale confinement. He pointed to canine distemper as a major threat.
"Most dogs picked up are asymptomatic carriers and show no signs. The infection spreads through faeces and the aerosol route, not just to other dogs but also to wild animals like bats and leopards," he explained, noting that many shelters are situated near forests on the city's outskirts.
He attributed the crisis to a systemic failure, citing poor management of Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs. "Systematic sterilisation and vaccination could have prevented this situation entirely," Dr. Rajan added.
Launch of 'Watchdogs' and Future Hopes
Activists also unveiled a new initiative to combat illegal actions. Manjari Chaitanya announced the launch of zonal monitoring rapid action teams named 'Watchdogs' under each GBA commissioner. These teams will act against those unlawfully picking up dogs and committing acts of cruelty.
During the protest, pictures showcasing cases of cruelty against dogs and cats in Bengaluru and other Indian regions were displayed. The demonstrators pushed for animal cruelty to be officially declared a public safety issue in the state.
Participants expressed that the current judicial order does not present a viable solution. "This will leave dogs without a home or identity. We are hoping for compassion and kindness in the next hearing on the matter," shared a resident of L&T South City in JP Nagar. The community now awaits the Supreme Court's proceedings on January 7 with hope for a more humane resolution.
