Pramesh S Jain
The Lokayukta on Thursday came down heavily on multiple civic authorities in Greater Bengaluru for failing to file comprehensive compliance reports on curbing the stray dog menace,warning that directions of the Apex Court must be implemented in letter and spirit.
The observations were made while hearing a suo motu case registered on August 31,2024,following the death of a 76-year-old retired teacher who was mauled by a pack of stray dogs inside the Air Force Station residential campus at Jalahalli East.
The incident had triggered widespread public outrage.
The proceedings are being monitored in light of the Supreme Court’s judgment dated November 7, 2025,in connected matters,which laid down detailed directions on stray dog management,vaccination,sterilisation,and public safety.
South Corporation Submits Report:
The Commissioner of Bengaluru South City Corporation, Ramesh K.N,along with the Chief Veterinary Officer, submitted a report dated February 24, 2026.
The report stated that:
Capacity for sterilisation has been significantly increased.
4,075 doses of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) are available.
Land at S. Bingipura has been identified to shelter 500 dogs.
Rs.183.60 lakh has been allocated for shelter homes and maintenance, with an additional Rs.46 lakh for constructing facilities for 100 dogs.Work orders have already been issued.
E-tenders were floated on January 27, 2026.
However,the Lokayukta noted that the report did not clarify whether all government and private hospitals were maintaining mandatory stock of Anti-Rabies Vaccine and Immunoglobulin as directed by the Supreme Court.
The Commissioner assured compliance and stated that shelter construction would be completed within a month.
North,Central, West and East Corporations Pulled Up
The Commissioners of several city corporations either sought exemption or failed to appear,drawing sharp criticism.
Bengaluru North City Corporation:
The Commissioner was exempted for the day, but the compliance report was termed “cryptic”and incomplete. Officials claimed tenders for sheltering 500 stray dogs would be finalised by March 7, 2026.
Bengaluru Central City Corporation:
Though a report on Animal Birth Control (ABC) activities and feeding zones was filed, the Lokayukta found it lacking in comprehensive details and directed personal appearance on the next date.
Bengaluru West City Corporation:
The Commissioner neither appeared nor sought exemption.With 69,341 stray dogs recorded in its limits, only 6,391 were sterilised between April 2025 and January 2026.
The Lokayukta observed a lack of seriousness and sought an exhaustive, time-bound action plan.
Bengaluru East City Corporation:
The report was termed inadequate. Proposed construction of an ABC centre at Mahadevapura costing ₹430 lakh and identification of land at Basavanapura were still at the tender stage.
Zilla Panchayaths and District Administration
Reports filed by the Chief Executive Officers of Bengaluru Urban,Rural and South Zilla Panchayaths were also found lacking in comprehensive details, especially regarding establishment of shelter homes and adherence to Supreme Court directives.
While some taluks reported ongoing sterilisation and vaccination drives, most proposals were at preliminary stages such as land identification and fund requisition.
The Lokayukta stressed that mere tabulation of figures without concrete timelines and implementation details would not suffice.
Greater Bengaluru Authority
The Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru
Authority submitted a consolidated report stating that over 1.5 lakh dogs had been vaccinated and funds earmarked for shelter construction.
However,the Lokayukta observed that most actions remained at tender or land identification stages, and emphasised the need for expeditious and scrupulous compliance to ensure citizen safety while also safeguarding animal welfare.
Notices and Summons
Noting the absence of the Deputy Commissioners of Bengaluru Urban and Bengaluru South districts, the Lokayukta ordered issuance of separate notices and summons for their mandatory appearance on the next date of hearing.
Next Hearing
All authorities have been directed to file comprehensive compliance reports by April 30, 2026. The matter will be places before the Lokayukta on May 8, 2026, along with a scrutiny note.
The Lokayukta reiterated that while humane treatment and proper sheltering of stray dogs is essential, the safety of citizens—particularly vulnerable groups—cannot be compromised.
