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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Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
