Proposed Dog ban at Cubbon park due to dog poop

Dog ban at Cubbon park, Bengaluru, proposed due to dog poop related issues

This is the mailer received,.

Please don’t let all pet parents suffer for the sins of a few.

Today, pet parents were shocked when a few security personnel said dogs would be banned at Cubbon Park web 1 July. We hear that due to many irresponsible pet parents lack of leashing in public areas, and not picking up poop etc

The Cubbon Park Canines and relentless volunteers at Cubbon Dog Park have done EVERYTHING to educate and influence uncivic pet parents to follow these rules. We realise we are as strong as our weakest link, and so we have TRIED our best. Posters, Wall of Shame, social media Messaging etc. Why punish the good pet parents, the poor pet dogs , and where will they now go? Petizens are heartbroken.

We request that the Horticulture Department please consider this :

Have a stakeholder meeting to address and sort this out
Implement fine and penalties for poop and non-leashing, as frequently requested by us. Clearly telling them is not working.
Have animal lovers assist security in ensuring rules adhered to
Cubbon Park is a jewel in not only the city’s crown, but also the country’s. Bangalore citizens have a unique love and ownership for this green public space that is the heart of the city and the soul of its people. Having a retrograde policy will certainly affect all of us. We have always taken a civic stance and understand the difficulties of park maintenance. While taking care of its citizens, can we not also care for its petizens & pets and ensure both are on the same page?

We are happy to help and do whatever needed, but please do not ban pet dogs from Cubbon Park .

———-

(Letter to Secretary Horticulture)

RK Kataria

Secretary- GoK ,

Department of Horticulture

MS Building

Bangalore 560001

 

Dear Mr. Kataria,

Sub: Proposed Pet Dog Ban in Cubbon Park

While thanking you and the Horticulture Team for all the support to diverse groups at Cubbon Park including dog lovers, we were shocked to hear today that there has been some change in rules proposed for pet parents. Pet parents have been told by Security from yesterday that dogs will not be allowed wef 1 July.

We are certainly concerned about this as this is the only public park in the centre of the city with space and access for pet lovers. We would kindly request a discussion at the earliest to understand the concerns and we will also request a stakeholder meeting if required before any such plans are put in place, as these may be considered quite one sided.

As you are aware, we have been working very hard with you and with all the pet parents to ensure that basic rules of leashing, picking up poop and masking is maintained at all times. The only off-leash area is the dog park and we have repeatedly requested all parents to strictly follow the rules and be civic & sensitive to others. You are aware of the number of strong campaigns we have led to ensure more civic behaviour, including The Wall of Shame to highlight and spotlight this etc. We have repeatedly asked Cubbon Park DDs for penalties to be implemented (Rs 500 is a BBMP litter fine for eg) so people who pay penalty know that this is a serious issue. Many think its our rules! We are a strong civic community and have supported security, set up wardens to help enforce mask rules and dog rules. The Dog Park has a 100% masking metric as you know and it is enforced every Sunday as we strictly enforce it , till it was relaxed by GoK. As conscious citizens and dog lovers, we continue to strongly drive all these messages at Dog Park and have put up posters in several parts of the park towards this cause as we believe we are jointly responsible with you to ensure that Cubbon Park is used and beloved by all.

In addition, while we do categorically agree that a few irresponsible pet parents who choose not to leash the dogs or pick up poop need to be addressed, the majority of responsible and civic minded pet parents should not have to suffer for the sins of a few. For example for the one person who does not mask up, or litters, spits or urinates in public, we can’t ban all people. We are happy to collaboratively work with you as we always have, eg by defining certain dog free spaces etc. We completely agree that duties & rights of dog lovers go hand in hand.

Our core group at Cubbon Park Canines who take care of all the Park dogs are also very concerned about this sudden informal news and would appreciate a conversation and an update. Of course, the Parkies (or street dogs in the park) are safe as per Supreme Court orders, and we ensure all are neutered, vaccinated and fed.

Thank you and the Horticulture Dept for your dedication to our beloved Cubbon Park and the support and collaboration to us this far and in the future. I look forward to a response, early meeting on this issue.

Thanking You

Yours Sincerely

 

All responsible citizens at Cubbon Park

CC: DD Cubbon Park

CC: Cubbon Park Canines

CC: Others Concerned

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