Yogesh K Porwar
Lokayukta Justice BS Patil has taken serious note of negligence of BBMP officials that led to death of 70-year-old Seethappa,who was mauled to death by a stray dog.
The BBMP officials have not taken any effective action against the stray dog menace since a year, and hence, the erring officials will be dealt with under section 13 of the Lokayukta Act,he said.
The decision was taken at a hearing in the presence of BBMP officials of the animal husbandry,health and family welfare department officials,BBMP medical officials,and residents of Nethravathi Colony.
The Lokayukta has also found that the officials concerned have not paid any compensation to the family of victims so far,and directed the officials to pay compensation as per the Supreme Court and the High court direction.
The Lokayukta had taken up a suo moto case and directed the Superintendent of Police,Lokayukta,Vamshi krishna,to visit the spot and conduct a detailed enquiry,and file the report within four days.
In the report submitted,the Lokayukta police mentioned negligence on the part of Lokayukta officials that led to the incident.
Taking cognizance of the report,the Lokayukta has pulled up officials for not setting up observation homes for aggressive dogs.
The special commissioner,health of BBMP who was present at the hearing assured the Lokayukta that an observation home set up in Yelahanka would be completed in 15 days with a capacity of housing 50 dogs.
However,the Lokayukta turned down his submission saying that it is not enough and the BBMP should set up observation homes in every ward to monitor and treat aggressive dogs attacking people.
Members of Nethravathi Colony Residents’ Association said that there were four aggressive dogs that have bitten around 42 people since January this year.Among them 14 of the cases have been reported to the BBMP, and the rest have not been reported.
The association members also said that the BBMP officials catch the stray dogs after every dog bite incident but return the dogs to the same locality after a few days.
Due to this,four dogs have attacked over 40 people in the same locality.When the Lokayukta asked the BBMP officials about this,the officials accepted that this happens sometimes.
Despite the High Court and Supreme Court orders for setting up dog pounds and kennel shelters to treat and monitor aggressive dogs,the BBMP is not implementing the orders,Justice Patil rued.
The association members submitted that since January this year,as many as 2.6 lakh dog bite cases have been reported in the State as per the health department information, and 13,831 people have died due to rabies.
In last week of July this year,10,212 cases have been reported, out of which 8,878 cases were from Bangalore city,4408 cases have been reported from Bangalore district.
The Lokayukta also made party the officials of district administration CEOs,animal husbandry,and civic authorities,asking them to report the cases of dog bites, rabies, vaccination,ABC (animal birth control) and dog welfare schemes.
The Lokayukta has posted the next hearing to 19 September,and directed the officials to submit the action taken report.
