{"id":4962,"date":"2025-07-14T13:25:51","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T07:55:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=4962"},"modified":"2025-07-27T13:47:41","modified_gmt":"2025-07-27T08:17:41","slug":"drama-not-welfare-swarnima-nishant-slams-bbmps-chicken-rice-scheme-for-stray-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=4962","title":{"rendered":"\u201cDrama, Not Welfare\u201d: Swarnima Nishant Slams BBMP’s Chicken-Rice Scheme for Stray Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

BBMP\u2019s Chicken-Rice Scheme for Stray Dogs Faces Sharp Criticism, Raises Questions Over Priorities<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

<\/h3>\n

Stray Dog Welfare or PR Stunt? \u201cTreat Dogs Like Family, Not a Gimmick,\u201d Swarnima Nishant<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bengaluru:<\/strong> <\/em>The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike\u2019s (BBMP) new pilot scheme to provide chicken and rice meals to stray dogs in Bengaluru has triggered a strong public response, with animal rights activists, health experts, and citizens raising concerns over its intent, implementation, and civic priorities.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst Treat Them as Family, Not a Publicity Stunt\u201d<\/h3>\n

Animal rights activist Swarnima Nishant<\/strong> was highly critical of the move, calling it a \u201cdrama\u201d and accusing BBMP of repeating publicity gimmicks from the past.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe BBMP should consider feeding biryani to community dogs later. First, treat them as family,\u201d she said.
She recalled similar token measures taken during the COVID-19 lockdown that were later abandoned.
\u201cCommunity dogs are being chased, beaten, and abused across the city. That\u2019s the real issue. There are hundreds of animal feeders managing them daily. Instead of supporting them, BBMP is launching a flashy scheme that it will drop in a few months,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

She also questioned the civic body\u2019s long-standing neglect of core welfare needs.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYour priorities are going really wrong. This looks like another planned scam. Why go for new initiatives when you can\u2019t implement the existing ones?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Swarnima stressed the need for BBMP to focus first on basic services like Animal Birth Control (ABC)<\/strong>, sterilisation<\/strong>, vaccination<\/strong>, and stronger enforcement of laws protecting community animals<\/strong>, especially with the rise of gated apartments and commercial spaces.<\/p>\n

\n

\u20b92.88 Crore Scheme to Feed 5,000 Stray Dogs<\/h3>\n

The BBMP\u2019s scheme aims to feed 5,000 stray dogs daily with cooked meals including 150g chicken, 100g rice, and vegetables, at a cost of \u20b922 per dog. Meals will be prepared in FSSAI-certified kitchens with CCTV monitoring and delivered to fixed locations in all eight city zones before 11 am. The total annual budget for this pilot is pegged at \u20b92.9 crore.<\/p>\n

BBMP officials said the project aims to reduce dog aggression and support sterilisation and vaccination efforts under the broader \u201cOne Health\u201d initiative.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThis is a pilot initiative to understand whether systematic feeding can help reduce stray dog aggression and support sterilisation and vaccination efforts,\u201d said Dr. Manjunath Prasad<\/strong>, Special Commissioner, Health and Sanitation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

Limited Scope, Not for All Strays<\/h3>\n

The project currently covers only 4,000 to 5,000 of Bengaluru\u2019s estimated 2.8 lakh stray dogs. BBMP is mapping dog populations in each zone and setting up around 100\u2013125 feeding points per zone.<\/p>\n

Officials clarified that this is not a universal feeding programme but a pilot model to test operational feasibility and health tracking.<\/p>\n

\n

Mixed Reactions from Public and Politicians<\/h3>\n

While some dog feeders like Prabhu<\/strong>, a Jayanagar resident, welcomed the support,<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been spending from my own pocket to feed over 30 dogs daily. If the BBMP steps in with a consistent system, it\u2019ll help. But feeding alone is not enough\u2014sterilisation must follow,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The initiative has also drawn political criticism.
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram<\/strong> called the plan a safety risk and questioned spending priorities.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cFeeding stray dogs in public spaces will only increase the problem. What the city needs are shelters and strict sterilisation, not chicken rice packets at taxpayer expense.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Others on social media questioned why \u20b922 per dog meal is being spent when the mid-day meal for a school child costs \u20b912.42. Concerns about corruption in food supply contracts were also raised.<\/p>\n

\n

Health Experts Urge Integrated Approach<\/h3>\n

Experts say feeding should not be viewed in isolation.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cFeeding can improve behaviour temporarily, but without birth control, it could increase breeding and pack aggression,\u201d warned Dr. Ananya Rao<\/strong>, a public health consultant. \u201cThe scheme must be linked with ABC and health tracking.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

BBMP Response and Way Forward<\/h3>\n

BBMP maintains that this is a pilot initiative backed by a \u20b960 crore dog management budget. Officials say public feedback, FSSAI standards, and veterinary guidance will be factored into future expansion or revisions.<\/p>\n

As the city debates the merit and method of this unique stray dog welfare model, its success\u2014or failure\u2014may shape how Bengaluru and other urban centres balance compassion, public health, and civic responsibility.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\ud83d\udde3\ufe0f Quotes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Swarnima Nishant, Animal Rights Activist:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe BBMP should consider feeding biryani to community dogs later. First, treat them like family.\u201d
\u201cThis is a drama. They did it during COVID, and they\u2019re repeating it again. It will fade in a few months.\u201d
\u201cCommunity dogs are being beaten and chased, while feeders are managing things on their own. This seems like a planned scam.\u201d
\u201cBBMP should first prioritise ABC\u2014sterilisation, vaccination, and legal protection for animals\u2014especially with the rise in gated communities.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Dr. Manjunath Prasad, BBMP Special Commissioner (Health & Sanitation):<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThis is a pilot initiative to understand whether systematic feeding can help reduce stray dog aggression and support sterilisation and vaccination efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Prabhu, Jayanagar Animal Feeder:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been spending from my own pocket to feed over 30 dogs. If the BBMP steps in with a consistent system, it will help\u2014but it can\u2019t stop at feeding.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Dr. Ananya Rao, Public Health Consultant:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cFeeding can improve behaviour temporarily, but without birth control, it could increase breeding and pack aggression.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Karti Chidambaram, MP (Congress):<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cFeeding stray dogs in public spaces will only increase the problem. The focus should be on shelters and sterilisation, not chicken rice funded by taxpayers.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

BBMP\u2019s Chicken-Rice Scheme for Stray Dogs Faces Sharp Criticism, Raises Questions Over Priorities Stray Dog Welfare or PR Stunt? \u201cTreat Dogs Like Family, Not a Gimmick,\u201d Swarnima Nishant   Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike\u2019s (BBMP) new pilot scheme to provide chicken and rice meals to stray dogs in Bengaluru has triggered a strong public […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4963,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[198],"tags":[1133],"class_list":["post-4962","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bengaluru","tag-stray-dogs"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4962"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4962\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4964,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4962\/revisions\/4964"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}