Date:12/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/12/stories/2007061220660300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

BBMP files affidavit in court saying it cannot tackle stray dog problem alone

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Bruhat Bangalore Mananagara Palike (BBMP) on Monday filed an affidavit before the Karnataka High Court stating that it alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of preventing stray dog bites in Bangalore.

The BBMP said it has been adhering to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and therefore was not in a position to kill the street dogs, though there was such a provision in the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act 1976.

The affidavit, filed by BBMP Joint Commissioner B.V. Kulkarni, states that the rules relating to Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act specify that stray dogs should be sterilised, vaccinated and released in the same area from which they are caught.

The court is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by B. Krishna Bhat. During the last hearing, the BBMP and some of the non-governmental organisations had been asked to file their statement.

The BBMP, Animal Rights Fund and Prani Daya Sangha filed affidavits.

A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph and Justice B.S. Patil, adjourned further hearing.