Lalbagh for dogs too, say animal lovers

It's a dogs' park too, so let them lie, say animal lovers
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Animal lovers are determined not to accept Horticulture Minister R. Srinivas’s decision to take stringent measures to keep canines out of Lalbagh, with just a whimper.

There are many who feel that the dogs are harmless and do not deserve the treatment or attention the Government is contemplating.

Some are of the opinion that Lalbagh has become a habitat for the dogs and should not be disturbed. The strays are accustomed to the large number of people who visit the park daily and do not bother them.

‘‘There is nothing to fear from these poor mutts. I am a regular walker here for a long time and not once have they troubled me. People should change their attitude and stop viewing them as a menace,’’ said Rohit Shetty, an engineer.

‘‘The dogs are least interested in the people who visit the park. They never chase the walkers, so why all this fuss? They have just become easy targets for the Minister. He should instead focus on the problem of littering that plagues the beautiful park,’’ says Suparna Ganguly from Compassion Unlimited Plus Action.

Most of the dogs have been vaccinated and are no threat to people, she says. ‘‘A letter should be written to the Minister protesting the move,’’ she added.

Many walkers were non-committal about the decision. It was a good idea to stop feeding the dogs, but trying to keep them out entirely was not warranted, they felt. Even those who agreed with the Minister admitted that they have never witnessed the dogs chasing any early morning joggers.

‘‘I have not been followed by a dog in Lalbagh in the ten years that I have been walking here,’’ said businessman Babulal Jain, but felt that the dogs should be kept out nevertheless.