Bengaluru: Author and philanthropist Sudha Murty has urged residents of Bengaluru to treat street dogs with compassion, emphasising that animals are an integral part of families and society.
Speaking on a podcast hosted by the Bengaluru City Police, Murty said animals deserve kindness and care, and called for greater sensitivity towards strays in the city.
Murty, who has written several books about her pet dog Gopi, described animals as “part of our family” and said affection matters deeply to them.
Gopi’s popularity in the city
Talking about her pet, Gopi, Murty said the dog has become something of a cultural icon in Bengaluru and often draws crowds during public appearances.
“He has more fan following than I,” she remarked during the podcast. “When I go to Delhi, people shout ‘Modi! Modi!’, but in Bengaluru they call, ‘Gopi! Gopi!’”
She added that children send shawls for Gopi during winter and that he was honoured during the Mysuru Dasara celebrations. According to Murty, Gopi frequently accompanies her to work and remains a constant companion.
‘Animals are part of our life’
Murty said animals and birds are not separate from human life but form an important part of it.
“Animals, birds, all these are also part of our life. They are also part of our family, not just human beings,” she said.
Describing dogs as among the closest companions to humans, she stressed that love and affection are more important to them than material comforts.
“More than food, they require love. If you give a piece of bread or a handful of rice to a dog, they will give their life for you,” she said.
Responsible care and simple acts of kindness
While highlighting the emotional bond between humans and pets, Murty noted that raising a pet dog requires time, responsibility and commitment, comparable in many ways to caring for a young child.
However, she pointed out that even those who are unable to adopt pets can still support street dogs through small acts of kindness.
She appealed to residents not to throw stones at strays or feed them spicy or unsuitable leftovers. Instead, she suggested keeping aside simple food such as rice or bread for them.
Murty also encouraged families to instil compassion for animals in children from an early age.
“Children should grow up with a love for animals,” she said, underlining the importance of nurturing empathy alongside academic and professional achievements.
Call for a kinder city
Bengaluru, like many large urban centres, has a significant population of street dogs. While civic authorities periodically undertake vaccination and sterilisation drives, public attitudes towards strays often vary widely.
Murty’s appeal comes amid ongoing debates about coexistence, safety and humane treatment of animals in urban spaces. By framing compassion towards animals as a moral and social responsibility, she sought to encourage citizens to adopt a more empathetic approach.
Her remarks reinforce a broader message that kindness towards animals reflects the character of society itself. As Bengaluru continues to grow and urbanise, she suggested that preserving compassion — especially for voiceless beings — is essential to building a humane and inclusive city.