Decision to ban pet dog inside Cubbon Park put on hold temporarily

A proposal to ban the entry of pet dogs into Cubbon Park, one of the largest lung spaces in Bengaluru from July 1 has temporarily been put on hold following the outrage it evoked from pet lovers.

Bengaluru Central MP P C Mohan in a tweet informed that the Horticulture department has temporarily put the decision on hold.

“Held a meeting with Horticulture Minister Munirathna concerning a proposal to prohibit the entry of pet dogs into Bengaluru’s Cubbon Park. The Horticulture department temporarily blocks the ban on pets. The Minister assured me that he would look into this matter,” he tweeted.

As per media reports, joggers and walkers frequenting the park had urged authorities to ban entry of pet dogs in Cubbon Park citing an increase in complaints of pets dirtying the open space and failure of its owners to comply with the guidelines. However, animal lovers termed the proposal by the horticulture department as a “harsh decision”.

Mohan said that the decision was not in accordance with the Animal Welfare Board of India’s 2016 guidelines framed following a case in the Delhi High Court about dogs being allowed in public parks.

He further hoped that the people could arrive at an amicable solution to the issue.