Express News Service
BENGALURU: Across different neighbourhoods, residents say that number of attacks by stray dogs has not come down. People are more fearful as the rains near because, they believe, that frequent power cuts could result in motorists being chased down by packs of dogs.
Most of them blame the BBMP for not keeping the dog population in check. They say that calls to help control violent dogs go unheeded. “The BBMP dog catchers do not come regularly and even if we call them on the helpline numbers, there is no response,” says Mukund N, a member of Citizens Action Forum in Jayanagar.
Badrinath from Rajarajeshwari Nagar (RR Nagar) too has a similar complaint. “We contacted MLAs and councillors, who told us to contact BBMP. The Palike too was non-commital. Residents of HBR layout waited for two years for a response from BBMP, got tired of this and now have employed security guards to keep vigil day and night,” he says.
In RR Nagar, school children wait for their buses near Manipal Hospital and elderly go for walks in the vicinity. “Dog attacks are very common in and around this area and near the 5th Stage bus stop,” says Badrinath RB, President of RR Nagar Taxpayers’ Association.
Anand Kumar, a 74 year old resident of RR Nagar, was attacked by a street dog when he was out for a morning walk. “My right calf muscle was injured badly and it took almost six weeks to heal,” he says.
In Vasanth Nagar, residents say that footpath space is largely taken by unruly dogs.
In Chandra Layout, people say that street dogs bark through the night. Srilakshmi, a resident of Wedia Layout says, “They keep us awake. We have have complained to BBMP authorities, but in vain”.
