JD(S) LEADER AND KARNATAKA LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER SL BHOJEGOWDA HAS SPARKED OUTRAGE AFTER CLAIMING HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR KILLING 2,800 STRAY DOGS DURING HIS TENURE AS HEAD OF THE CHIKKAMAGALURU MUNICIPAL COUNCIL. (PHOTO).

 JD(S) leader and Karnataka Legislative Council member SL Bhojegowda has sparked outrage after claiming he was responsible for killing 2,800 stray dogs during his tenure as head of the Chikkamagaluru municipal council. Speaking in the council, Bhojegowda said the dogs were buried under trees “to serve as natural compost,” a remark that appeared boastful and drew strong criticism from animal rights activists and the public.

The statement came during a discussion on the stray dog issue, though Bhojegowda did not specify the period in which the alleged killings took place. Responding to the debate, Municipal Administration and Hajj Minister Rahim Khan said the government was facing pressure from animal lovers who opposed the removal of strays. Some MLCs went further, suggesting that dogs be released into the homes of such activists to “make them understand the reality.”

Bhojegowda defended his stance by pointing to rising dog bite cases in the state, questioning what opponents of stray removal would do if their own children were bitten. His comments come as the Supreme Court has ordered civic authorities in Delhi-NCR to sterilise and relocate stray dogs to shelters, with strict measures to prevent cruelty and re-release.

Karnataka has recorded 2.86 lakh dog bite cases and 26 suspected rabies deaths between January and August 2025, according to state health data. In a recent incident in Bengaluru, two college students were attacked by a pack of stray dogs on the Bengaluru University campus, though both are now recovering. Authorities say they are awaiting a detailed veterinary report on the case.