The State government’s decision to close 24 veterinary institutions in Bengaluru Urban district and an additional four in Bengaluru Rural, with intentions to transfer them to areas in the State facing inadequate cattle-to-hospital ratios, has ignited a storm of opposition from animal rights activists in the city.
Critics argue that the determination of veterinary institution necessity solely based on the cattle count in a metropolis like Bengaluru, while overlooking the significant population of pet animals, lacks scientific basis. According to the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department’s directive, following guidelines from the National Commission of Agriculture (NCA), a veterinary institution is recommended for every 5,000 cattle units.
In the state, there exist 4,234 institutions, with Bengaluru Urban and Bengaluru Rural districts hosting 101 and 103 veterinary institutions, respectively. The department justifies the relocation proposal based on demands from various parts of Karnataka where the cattle-to-veterinary institution ratio falls substantially below the recommended guidelines.
Animal rights activist Arun Prasad condemned the move, highlighting its adverse impact on the city’s animal healthcare. He emphasized that determining the need for veterinary facilities based solely on cattle count was unscientific, neglecting the larger number of other animals, particularly pets, in need of care within the city.
Expressing objection to the closure proposal, the Jayanagar Canine Squad, an organization dedicated to rescuing and treating stray dogs, penned a letter to K. Venkatesh, Minister for Animal Husbandry. They specifically cited the Veterinary Hospital in Jayanagar, attending to nearly 1,500 cases per month and providing crucial support to low-income groups and livestock owners.
The squad’s letter emphasized the vital role of such institutions, especially in aiding their rescue operations, and urged the Minister not to shut down the facility. Civic activist C.N. Kumar echoed similar sentiments, underscoring the importance of these institutions in providing essential care for pets whose owners cannot afford private clinics.
Critics contend that rather than closing down these vital facilities, the government should explore avenues to enhance their services and better cater to the diverse needs of animal care within the city.
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