Dogging problems, but none to hear

Dogging problems, but none to hear
Deccan Herald

Just two days after Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) launched a 24-hour helpline — 22975585 — to address complaints relating to dog menace in the City, the telephone has gone out of order...

Just two days after Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) launched a 24-hour helpline – 22975585 – to address complaints relating to dog menace in the City, the telephone has gone out of order.

BBMP Commissioner K Jairaj announced the launch of the helpline on Saturday to ensure complaints of people pertaining to stray dogs are addressed. But it was of little help to citizens as the helpline was not working. Some people complained the line was engaged for a long time.

When Deccan Herald dialled the number around 3 pm on Monday, the line was out of order.

“A pack of 50 dogs roam around my place. I am scared. My efforts to complain to the BBMP through the helpline was in vain as it was constantly engaged,” Deepak, a resident of Church Street, said.

Ever since a four-year old boy was killed by stray dogs at BEML layout, citizens from across the City are making frantic calls to the BBMP to complain about stray dogs. One Saturday alone, 250 telephone calls were made to BBMP through its control room – 22221188. The civic body, therefore, set up a separate helpline to handle the dogs’ problem.

BBMP Chief Health Officer Dr L T Gayatri, who is in charge of the helpline, said: “It remains engaged most of the time... As for the phone being out of order, I am not aware. I will verify it.”

Even the personnel at BSNL Enquiry Service -197 - expressed their inability to explain the status of the helpline.