Stray dog debate in Karnataka assembly: Attacks on students spark row; CM backs humane measures, BJP seeks relocation

BENGALURU: "Treating stray dogs as a nuisance to be removed is not governance - it is cruelty," CM Siddaramaiah posted on 'X' Wednesday, rejecting demands to take strays off the streets while stressing on humane measures like sterilisation, vaccination, and community care."Fear-driven measures only create more suffering, not safety," he pointed out.BJP leaders, however, pushed for Karnataka to follow the Supreme Court's directive to Delhi-NCR authorities to relocate strays to shelters. Senior BJP member Suresh Kumar cited 18,000 dog-bite cases in Bengaluru over the past six months and 18 rabies infections, urging that the order be extended to Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mysuru and other cities. SC order must be followed in K'taka: Min Raising the issue soon after question hour, JD(S) floor leader CB Suresh Babu said: "If all state corporations were to take similar action, it would protect children." Babu also criticised Bengaluru's civic agency's Rs 2.9 crore plan to feed about 4,000 street dogs. "Instead of the corporation serving biryani to dogs, let authorities take measures to control their menace," he said.The debate erupted after two college students were attacked by strays at Jnanabharathi campus.CN Ashwath Narayan said the legislature complex should be cleared of strays, adding, "The CM has tweeted expressing sympathy... but the govt should take action. SC directions should be implemented in Karnataka too."Several legislators pointed out both Vidhana Soudha and Legislators' Home fall under the speaker's jurisdiction. UT Khader said, "Some legislators want the dogs to be around, some don't..." In Feb, Khader had announced plans to build shelters and manage them with NGO support, while clarifying the animals would not be shifted elsewhere.