‘Hands are tied’: BBMP tells Child Rights Commission over stray dog bites in B’luru

An official of the Animal Husbandry department said that the increase in cases is because people from nearby areas come to the city for treatment.

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The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) admitted that it is unable to prevent the rising instances of stray dog bites in the city, and informed the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) that its 'hands are tied'.

The Palike has recorded 27,464 instances of stray dog bites in the city as of September 20. 32,883 stray dog bites were recorded in 2017, and 17,783 in 2016.

But it was when a stray dog bite resulted in the death of Praveen, an 11-year-old boy from Whitefield, that the KSCPCR took suo motu cognisance of the issue. Other cases of dogs attacking children have since been reported and activists are raising alarm about the failure of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme.

Activists further allege that tenders for the neutering of dogs are being given to persons with no experience handling stray dogs.

“Packs of dogs are found in areas where waste disposal is not effective and around meat shops where meat is thrown. These dogs attack children as they are vulnerable targets,” Y. Mariswamy, the in-charge chairperson of the KSCPCR, told the Hindu.

However, the BBMP stopped short of criticising the ABC programme and instead suggested that there may be an inflated number of cases reported because of people coming to Bengaluru from nearby areas.

"Those bitten by dogs in areas like Anekal, Nelamangala and Kolar come to Bengaluru for treatment as these places don't have adequate facilities. These cases get registered within BBMP limits, though the incident might have taken place elsewhere. This may have inflated the number,” GS Anand, Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry told the Times of India.

Ineffective waste disposal systems have also been highlighted as a reason for the increased number of stray dog bites. BBMP Mayor Sampath Raj confirmed that the Palike is working on several measures to reduce the number of stray dog bites but also expressed helplessness over the issue.