Lokayukta B.S. Patil has taken serious note of the alleged negligence of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials that led to the death of 70-year-old Seethappa, who was mauled by a stray dog.

The BBMP officials have not taken any effective action against the stray dog menace for a year, and the errant officials will be dealt with under Section 13 of the Lokayukta Act, he said on Monday.

The decision was taken at a hearing in the presence of BBMP officials of the Animal Husbandry, Health and Family Welfare Departments, BBMP medical officials, and residents of Nethravathi Colony.

The Lokayukta has also found that the officials concerned have not paid compensation to the family of victims so far, and he directed the officials to pay compensation as per the Supreme Court and the High court direction.

The Lokayukta had taken up a suo moto case and directed Vamshikrishna, Superintendent of Police, Lokayukta, to visit the spot and conduct a detailed enquiry, and file the report within four days.

In the report, the Lokayukta police mentioned negligence on the part of Lokayukta officials that led to the incident. Taking cognisance of the report, the Lokayukta has pulled up officials for not setting up observation homes for aggressive dogs.

The BBMP’s Special Commissioner (Health) promised the Lokayukta that an observation home would be completed in 15 days in Yelahanka with a capacity of housing 50 dogs.

However, the Lokayukta turned down his submission saying that it was not enough and the BBMP should set up observation homes in every ward to monitor and treat aggressive dogs attacking people.

Members of Nethravathi Colony Residents’ Association alleged that there were four aggressive dogs that bit 42 people since this January. Among them 14 of the cases have been reported to the BBMP.

Association members said BBMP officials catch the stray dogs after every dog bite incident, but return the animals to the same locality after a few days. When the Lokayukta asked the BBMP officials, the officials accepted that this happens sometimes.

Despite the HC and the SC orders for setting up shelters to treat and monitor aggressive dogs, the BBMP is not implementing the orders, Mr. Patil rued.

The association members submitted that since this January, 2.6 lakh dog bite cases were reported in the State as per the Health Department information, and 13,831 people have died from rabies.

In the last week of this July, 10,212 cases were reported, out of which 8,878 were from Bengaluru city and 4,408 from Bengaluru Urban.

The Lokayukta posted the next hearing to September 19, and directed the officials to submit the action taken report.