Making the stand regarding stray dogs clear, the Union government on Monday told the Karnataka High Court that a compassionate attitude towards animals is a constitutional mandate and unnecessary culling of dogs is impermissible.
A division bench comprising Justice Chidananda Ullal and Justice Ashok B Hinchigeri, while taking on record the statement of the union government, directed the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar Palike to file an action taken report on the issue and also place before the court its plan of action.
A detailed statement was filed by the Ministry of Environment and Forest in response to a public interest litigation seeking a direction to curb the stray dog menace in Bangalore.
The reply stated, “animal control is not simply a matter of removing animals from the streets. There is no evidence to show that removal of stray dogs has reduced the population of dogs.
Culling is not the solution. Instead it has to be done in a multi-pronged manner which would include sterilisation, immunisation, capturing and providing shelter. Euthanasia is to be resorted only in case of ill and wounded dogs.”
Further, it was stated that the union government allots Rs 350 for pre and post operation of a stray dog and Rs 75 for catching and relocating.
This amount is made available to the municipalities, who in turn have to allot them to the NGOs.
The union government claimed that in 2006-07 it had spent Rs 400.67 lakh and 1,11,381 dogs had been sterilised across the country.

Blame
The statement blamed the municipalities for the manner in which solid waste was being disposed. It was stated that food is made available through improper channels which was attracting stray dogs into the streets. Stating that the management of stray dogs is an integral part and primary responsibility of the municipal authority, the union government felt that the waste management system has to be developed.
The union government sought a mandamus from the court to direct the state government and the municipalities to act in accordance within the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.