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By Karthikeyan Sairam

On a warm Saturday evening at Freedom Park, the mood was subdued yet resolute. Citizens, activists, and familiar faces from across the city gathered for a peaceful protest sparked by a deeply disturbing incident: 22 community dogs from a locality went missing and were later found killed. What unfolded was more than a protest; it was a collective cry for compassion.

Awareness is where everything begins: Aniruddha Ravindra

For Aniruddha Ravindra of Praana Animal Foundation , the turnout reflected only a fraction of the concern the issue deserves. “People don’t know what is right and wrong when it comes to animal rights. It’s not about a single body like the Defence Research and Development Organisation. This mindset exists everywhere — the idea of making cities ‘stray-free’ like the West. But that’s not science. Follow science: vaccination, neutering, and proper waste management. Removing dogs will only create larger ecological problems,” he said

We need to learn to coexist with them: Ramya

Actor Ramya, visibly emotional, spoke about how deeply the incident affected her. “It’s a very disturbing incident. I couldn’t even watch the video; it was too heartbreaking,” she said. For her, the issue goes beyond a single act of cruelty. “Animals don’t want to be on the streets. They are there because we’ve taken away their space. And instead of compassion, we think of eliminating them. You don’t get along with your neighbour — do you dump them somewhere? No, you learn to coexist. Why can’t we do the same with animals?”

When I saw the video, I almost wished I hadn’t: Priya Chetty Rajagopal

Activist Priya Chetty Rajagopal recalled the moment she first heard about the incident. “When I saw the video, I almost wished I hadn’t. But that’s what pushed me into action.” What followed was swift coordination — calls to authorities, letters, and sustained pressure on civic bodies such as the GBA (previously known as BBMP ). She also underscored the larger message. “This isn’t just about dogs. It’s about coexistence. When we neuter and vaccinate, we’re making the streets safer for humans too. People should understand
we’re doing this for everyone.”

Losing the dogs this way is unimaginable: Matangi

Among the crowd was Matangi, a former resident of the township where the incident occurred. Her voice trembled as she spoke about Spot, a dog she had cared for over the years. “She chose us as much as we chose her. She would come home, scratch on our door, and join us on walks — she was family. It wasn’t just feeding her; it was a bond. Losing her like this is unimaginable,” she said.