Animal welfare NGOs, activists, and animal lovers in Belagavi submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Nitesh Patil on Thursday, urging the acceleration of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme amidst rising dog bite cases. Veterinary doctor Praveen Mathapati, Varun Karkhanis of the Belgaum Animal Welfare Association (BAWA), and animal activists Sourabh Savant and Nikita Kunte addressed the media, condemning discussions about the mass killing of stray dogs as illegal.
They called for DC Patil to instruct Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) officials to expedite the ABC programme to manage the stray dog population. Dr. Praveen Mathapati emphasized the importance of public awareness on humane interactions with stray dogs, advising against harassing them and encouraging feeding to keep them calm. He stressed the need for an animal-friendly environment and education on compassion towards animals.
The recent increase in dog bite cases has sparked public anger towards both stray dogs and the BCC for inadequate control measures. The Advocates Association of Human Rights (AAHR) has demanded compensation for dog bite victims and warned of legal action if no measures are taken.