Bengaluru’s street dog ‘biryani plan’ sparks outrage as GBA pushes two-meal scheme

Bengaluru: Bengaluru continues to grapple with the rising menace of street dogs, with several recent attacks leaving citizens injured, and in some cases, costing lives.

While residents have been demanding a firm and scientific solution, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has once again triggered public outrage by proposing to offer two meals of chicken biryani a day to stray dogs.

The plan comes even as the Supreme Court has instructed civic agencies to set up shelters and safely relocate street dogs from residential localities. GBA claims preparations are underway to implement the court’s directions—but activists allege that the agency is forcibly capturing dogs and dumping them in poorly maintained godowns, all in the name of the Supreme Court.

Two biryani meals per day for strays?

According to the new proposal, GBA intends to provide 150 grams of rice and 100 grams of chicken per dog per meal. Earlier, one-time meals were estimated at ₹22, but the revised rate is now ₹25 per meal. With two meals a day, the daily cost per dog will be ₹50.

This would push the monthly expenditure to ₹3,035 per dog, and when additional costs such as staff salaries, medicines and sanitation are included, the total reaches ₹3,036 per dog per month. With the current number of dogs under consideration, GBA estimates a monthly spend of ₹66.95 lakh, translating to more than ₹8.5 crore annually.

Concerned residents accuse officials of pushing such schemes purely for financial gain. “This is not for dogs—it is for pockets,” said city resident Kanth Raj.

Animal welfare groups raise alarm

Animal rights organisations have strongly criticised GBA’s handling of dogs ahead of setting up proper shelters. Activists say dogs are being captured and kept in dark, congested godowns with no ventilation, food or medical care. Many dogs reportedly sustain injuries during capture and are left untreated.

“Instead of building proper shelters as ordered, they are torturing animals. Keeping them without food or light is cruelty,” an animal welfare representative said.

Public divided, criticism grows

While GBA argues that feeding programmes help reduce aggression among dogs, critics say the civic body is focusing on publicity-heavy meal schemes instead of urgently needed sterilisation, vaccination and sheltering programmes.

With the “biryani plan” sparking fresh controversy, citizens are watching closely to see whether GBA will proceed with the scheme or revise its strategy amid growing backlash.

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