Bengaluru faces shortage of shelters as Supreme Court orders relocation of stray dogs
Bengaluru: The Supreme Court recently directed that all stray dogs in public spaces such as hospitals, schools, colleges, and parks must be shifted into shelters. While the order calls for relocating a large number of dogs, Bengaluru reportedly lacks the infrastructure to house even a few hundred dogs for large-scale Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs.
The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) is now scouting for locations to set up new dog pounds and is planning a series of initiatives to reduce dog bites across the city. “Our first priority is to set up more centres to house the dogs, and instructions have been given to all the corporations,” Deccan Herald quoted Maheshwar Rao, GBA Commissioner, as saying.
At present, there are about eight centres conducting ABC programs and a few observation centres. However, Rao acknowledged that limited space has slowed progress, prompting the authority to seek public support. “If anyone can provide us space to set up observation centres to house dogs, we can go ahead immediately. Our officials are also trying to scout suitable places,” he said.
Corporation commissioners have also asked officials to survey and identify dogs that need to be relocated so that the required infrastructure can be planned and set up. Institutions across the city have been asked to report the number of dogs on their premises, which will guide further action, added the report.
While the GBA is now focusing on better infrastructure and new initiatives, many earlier proposals remain unimplemented. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had previously announced measures to control the stray dog population, including microchipping strays to track neutering status and community feeding programs to reduce aggressive behaviour. However, none of these measures were carried out.
“The tenders did not receive a good response. Though we invited tenders twice, we could not get a qualified agency to take up these works. Now, the individual corporations will take over,” DH quoted a senior GBA official as saying.
Rao acknowledged that many programs stalled after the GBA and five corporations took over from BBMP, but emphasised that the first priority is to implement the Supreme Court order and improve infrastructure, with other initiatives to be addressed later based on priority.
Over the last three months, the capital city has recorded at least three dog-bite incidents, including one fatality. Yet, despite repeated incidents, there seems to be no impact on the ground, and residents say they still go out in fear of being hounded by packs of dogs, added DH.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
West Bengal Class 12 results declared; overall pass percentage 91.23%
Kolkata (PTI): The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education on Thursday announced the results of its Class 12 examination, which recorded an overall pass percentage of 91.23 per cent.
The results included those of the candidates from the fourth semester under the new system, supplementary candidates of the third semester, and students appearing under the old annual examination pattern.
While the pass percentage among girls stood at 92.47 per cent, boys recorded a pass percentage of 89.71 per cent.
As many as 64 candidates -- including 56 boys and eight girls -- featured in the top 10 list. Adrito Pal of Narendrapur Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya secured the first rank in the state by scoring 496 out of 500 marks.
Jishnu Kundu of Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith Purulia and Ritobrata Nath of Narendrapur Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya secured the second rank with 495 marks each.
Candidates dissatisfied with their fourth-semester results would be allowed to reappear in the examination next year after surrendering the current year's result.
According to official data, a total of 7,10,811 candidates appeared for the higher secondary examination this year.
Of them, 6,35,864 students appeared in the final semester examination under the new system, 59,452 candidates took the supplementary examination for the second semester, and 15,495 students appeared under the old annual examination pattern.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari congratulated all students who have passed the higher secondary examination in a post on X.
"Your hard work, perseverance, and self-confidence have taken the form of success. May the success inspire you to dream even bigger on the path ahead. I wish that your future be bright, that you get success in every field and that you bring glory to your family, society, and state," he wrote on social media.
