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New Delhi: In a shocking revelation that has ignited widespread condemnation, Karnataka Legislative Council member SL Bhojegowda of the Janata Dal (Secular) stated on Tuesday that he was responsible for the killing of "2,500 dogs" during his tenure as the chairperson of the Chikkamagaluru municipal body.
Bhojegowda made these remarks during a council discussion on the escalating stray dog menace in the state, claiming the dogs were "buried under trees to serve as natural compost." The exact period of his leadership during which these killings occurred remains unclear, though he has been an MLC for several years.
"During my tenure as the chairperson of the City Municipality Council, we killed 2,500 dogs and buried them under trees to serve as natural compost," Bhojegowda said.
This admission by the MLC comes at a time when Karnataka is grappling with a severe dog bite crisis, having recorded 2.4 lakh dog bite cases and 19 deaths due to rabies so far this year.
Adding fuel to the fire, Bhojegowda controversially suggested, "If anyone opposes removal of stray dogs from streets, government must unleash 10 strays into the houses of the animal activists." This statement was made in response to Minister for Municipal Administration Rahim Khan, who stated that existing rules only permit the sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs, not their removal.
The issue of stray dogs took centre stage in the Legislative Council, with members urging the state government to seek a directive from the Supreme Court for their removal, mirroring a recent Supreme Court order for Delhi-NCR.
However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah advocated for a "humane approach," stating on X, "Treating stray dogs as a nuisance to be removed is not governance. It is cruelty. Humane societies find solutions that protect people and animals. Sterilisation, vaccination, and community care work. Fear-driven measures only create more sufferings, not safety.”
During the heated discussion, Bhojegowda, echoing sentiments of frustration over the stray dog problem, stated, "People are finding it difficult to walk on the streets. Children of legislators, Ministers, and bureaucrats travel to school in cars. But we have to think about the public who face stray dogs daily," citing numerous stray attacks across the state. He further proposed that if "dog lovers" truly care about strays, they should take them into their homes, adding that "When strays from the streets are left on their premises, they will understand the problem."
