Karnataka MLC Admits to Mass Killing of 2,800 Dogs

A chilling admission in the Karnataka Legislative Council has reignited the debate over stray dog control. Janata Dal (Secular) MLC SL Bhojegowda openly confessed that, during his tenure as head of Chikmagalur's civic body, he oversaw the killing of around 2,800 dogs by mixing poison with meat - all in the name of "protecting children."

"We buried them under coconut trees... let's go to jail also if needed for the safety of our kids," Bhojegowda declared, urging Karnataka to become the first state to petition the Supreme Court for strict action against strays.

Pattern of Culling in Southern States

The confession adds to a troubling history. Over the past decade, large-scale culling of stray dogs has been reported in several southern states, often sparking legal battles and mass protests by animal rights activists.

Bhojegowda also dismissed animal welfare advocates as "another menace," fuelling outrage among activists who argue that such killings are both illegal and unethical.

Deadly Attacks Fuel the Debate

The remarks come amid a surge in reported dog attacks. In Kodigehalli last month, a 70-year-old man was allegedly killed by strays. In Old Hubballi, CCTV footage captured a brutal attack on a three-year-old girl, who suffered multiple bite wounds before being rushed to hospital. Two MSc students in Bengaluru were also recently hospitalised following a stray dog attack on their university campus.

Government and Court in the Spotlight

Karnataka Lokayukta Justice BS Patil has criticised the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for failing to set up observation homes for aggressive dogs despite previous orders. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is already facing pressure to review its directive to remove all strays from Delhi-NCR and relocate them to shelters.

Bhojegowda's statement has now pushed the conflict between public safety concerns and animal rights into sharper focus - and raised fresh questions about how far authorities can, or should, go in controlling the stray dog population.