Bengaluru plans major overhaul to address rising stray dog incidents
BENGALURU :The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is preparing a comprehensive plan to regulate the city's street dog population. BBMP will implement through sterilisation, vaccination and feeding activities, according to a detailed report published in The Hindu.
According to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) figures, the city had 13,831 dog bite incidents in the first half of 2024, compared to 26,532 in all of 2023. While Officials attribute the rise to improved reporting, animal welfare groups point to loopholes in sterilization efforts as a major cause of ongoing instances.
A BBMP survey shows that the city’s stray dog population has declined from 3.1 lakh in 2019 to 2.79 lakh in 2023 due to ongoing Animal Birth Control (ABC) programmes. Sterilisation rates have dropped this year after the suspension of multiple NGOs involved in the process, limited infrastructure and new guidelines mandating a seven-day post-surgery care period.
The BBMP allocated ₹60 crore for 2025-26 to extend ABC projects, implement microchipping and improve vaccination campaigns. It also intends to create veterinary facilities in all eight zones, enlist veterinary graduates in sterilization initiatives and use ring vaccination procedures to combat rabies.
The plan includes a ₹3.23 crore microchipping scheme to track sterilization and vaccination, avoiding duplication of efforts. While some activists have raised health concerns about microchipping, the BBMP cites successful pilot programs as proof of its safety.
The civic body is also scheduled to spend ₹2.88 crore on structured feeding programmes to reduce aggression among hungry strays. Complementing this is a citywide “Each One, Feed One” campaign aimed at encouraging responsible community feeding.
Experts warn that transparency in execution will determine the plan’s success. “Implementation is key to building trust and ensuring safety without cruelty,” said paediatrician and activist Hemant Kumar.
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Couple, son 'hacked' to death over witchcraft suspicion in Jharkhand's Palamu
Medininagar (PTI): A couple and their 18-year-old son were allegedly hacked to death over suspicion of practising witchcraft in Jharkhand's Palamu, police said on Sunday.
Their minor daughter was also injured in the attack late on Saturday, a police officer said.
The bodies were recovered from their house on Sunday in Panki police station area, he said.
“Initial investigation suggests that the case is related to witchcraft suspicion,” Manoj Kumar Jha, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Lesliganj told PTI.
A manhunt is on to nab the culprits, Jha said.
The girl suffered severe injuries and has been admitted to a government hospital, he said.
The deceased have been identified as Vijay Bhuiyan (45), his wife Kalia Devi (40), and their son Chotu Bhuiyan.
The bodies have been sent to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) for post-mortem examination.
