Beastly in Bangalore

Sage; Pages: 275; Rs 295

You dont have to agree with everything the author argues (this reviewer has issues with the larger sociological arguments that form the second half of this book),to agree that he makes a point that needed to be made: Indias law backs a public-private partnership to control stray dog population. Like so many things in India,this is a perfect idea that has engendered imperfect execution. However and this is frequently unappreciated a lot has been done,even given municipal sloth and varying effectiveness of NGOs involved in the animal birth-control programme. Doubtless,there will always be advocates of a take them and kill them policy. Problematically for this argument,and municipal authorities who have tried this will agree,this is simply not a practical option.

That was something the city authorities of Bangalore chose to forget in the first months of 2007. As the book says,the city had been running a fairly successful birth control-vaccination programme when the take them and kill them policy came back in fashion. Tragedies in this case,reports of a death from stray dog attack spark off mob reaction,especially when those who govern play the mob card. Bangalores municipal authorities seemingly chose to play the mob card. This book is at its most effective when it recounts that mercifully short but thoroughly inglorious chapter in Bangalores public administration. If you think there are too many strays,demand that the sterilisation-vaccination programme be made more effective. Privatised slaughter is not the solution.

The author makes the effort to put together a good argument on an issue thats largely poorly understood. The book deserves a serious audience for that reason.