Bengaluru: There can be no parallel practice of cruelty against stray dogs anywhere like this.
In order to get rid of the stray dogs menace, the civic authorities have directed its officials to bundle up the stray dogs and abandon them in nearby forest areas from cities such as Bangalore, Chikkaballapur and Mysore region which is promptly followed.

This shocking maniac idea of BBMP has turned animal lovers’ eyes red and a huge hue and cry has been raked up.

BBMP officials have transported thousands of stray dogs into forest area especially, Bannerghatta National Park so far.

Interestingly, though it’s a disgusting thing, civic bodies have called tender for such duties to be discharged and has fixed rate for each dog’s disposal.

News Karnataka has obtained a copy of such work order issued to dog catchers offering Rs 200 per stray dog’s disposal.

The town municipalities had issued such orders in March 14. Since then approximately 4,000 stray dogs from Bangalore, Chikballapur and Gudibande towns have been picked up and abandoned near Banerghatta and Muthathi forest range.

However, as the inhuman practice came to light, the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) BJ Hosmath shot a mail to the authorities concerned from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Chickaballapura and others, strictly warning of such illegal practices, such as abandoning of stray dogs into forest area which harms the conservatory norms of wildlife.

But, BBMP officials denied of receiving any such mail.

In another attempt to stop the cruel practice, several organisations had written mails detailing how the illegal practice is a serious threat to both wildlife and abandoned dogs in the forest.

Dr Maheshwara Gowda, Joint Director, BBMP, also denied of receiving any such letter from the forest officials and rubbished the practice of abandoning stray dogs inside forest as baseless.

Praveen Bhargav, ex-member of National Board for Wildlife, said that releasing stray dogs into a reserve wildlife forest area is a major threat to wild animals due to several reasons.

The newly found practice in the state violates several wildlife act laws and such violations can attract punishment with imprisonment up to three years and fine up to Rs 10,000.

But, many onlookers of such typical cases opined the practice can be traced back to the 80’s in Mumbai and other cities.