<p>Over the last six months, at least three hit-and-run cases of dogs have been reported in Bengaluru, highlighting a systemic failure to protect animals.</p>.<p>Animal lovers believe the laws and mechanism of reporting cruelties to animals, especially hit-and-run cases involving strays, must change.</p>.<p>Indiranagar resident Sneha Nandihal, a witness to one such incident on Tuesday night, said that she ran from pillar to post to report the incident and initiate legal process.</p>.<p>“There is no set process to be followed (in the animal hit-and-run cases) and no helpline for common man to report such incidents. I had to walk to the police station, lodge an FIR and get the post-mortem done. Not every person would have time to complete all the procedures,” said Sneha.</p>.<p class="CrossHead"><strong>Temporary outrage</strong></p>.<p>Activist Priya Chetty-Rajagopal pointed to the need for sustained action. “Temporary outrage is not the way forward. The authorities need to realise how such incidents are a portrayal of the mindset of the people. These people could be criminals. The police department has to take note of it and act immediately,” she said.</p>.<p>She added that the system was entirely volunteer-driven. “Even if an incident is reported, there is no dedicated team responding to it. Only a few trying to better the situation helps. In the last three cases, even though we had witnesses and CCTV footage, conviction has happened in only one,” Priya added.</p>.<p>Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials insisted that those who report the incident should file a police complaint.</p>.<p>“We, as a civic body, cannot file a complaint without a witness and evidence. Hence, we urge citizens to either write to the BBMP along with the evidence or report it themselves,” a senior BBMP official said.</p>.<p>In January, a hit-and-run incident was reported in Jayanagar 1st Block and a similar incident surfaced from Jayanagar 9th Block in May. On Tuesday, a car ran over a 14-year-old dog in Indiranagar.</p>
<p>Over the last six months, at least three hit-and-run cases of dogs have been reported in Bengaluru, highlighting a systemic failure to protect animals.</p>.<p>Animal lovers believe the laws and mechanism of reporting cruelties to animals, especially hit-and-run cases involving strays, must change.</p>.<p>Indiranagar resident Sneha Nandihal, a witness to one such incident on Tuesday night, said that she ran from pillar to post to report the incident and initiate legal process.</p>.<p>“There is no set process to be followed (in the animal hit-and-run cases) and no helpline for common man to report such incidents. I had to walk to the police station, lodge an FIR and get the post-mortem done. Not every person would have time to complete all the procedures,” said Sneha.</p>.<p class="CrossHead"><strong>Temporary outrage</strong></p>.<p>Activist Priya Chetty-Rajagopal pointed to the need for sustained action. “Temporary outrage is not the way forward. The authorities need to realise how such incidents are a portrayal of the mindset of the people. These people could be criminals. The police department has to take note of it and act immediately,” she said.</p>.<p>She added that the system was entirely volunteer-driven. “Even if an incident is reported, there is no dedicated team responding to it. Only a few trying to better the situation helps. In the last three cases, even though we had witnesses and CCTV footage, conviction has happened in only one,” Priya added.</p>.<p>Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials insisted that those who report the incident should file a police complaint.</p>.<p>“We, as a civic body, cannot file a complaint without a witness and evidence. Hence, we urge citizens to either write to the BBMP along with the evidence or report it themselves,” a senior BBMP official said.</p>.<p>In January, a hit-and-run incident was reported in Jayanagar 1st Block and a similar incident surfaced from Jayanagar 9th Block in May. On Tuesday, a car ran over a 14-year-old dog in Indiranagar.</p>