In 2022, for some reason, right after the pandemic, there have been a number of deliberate acts of violence against the street dogs of Bangalore. From CCTV cameras we have been able to determine that the culprits are often young men. Cruelty to animals (and other children) starts at a very young age, sometimes three or four year. The very same age where it’s possible, with the right intervention, the right role models and therapy, we could be instead creating a future of compassionate, animal loving adults.
There are people already doing this… Strays Matter in Richard’s Town has The Indie Ninjas a group of teenagers heavily into animal welfare, FluffyNut in East Bangalore also has a large group of young volunteers.
So I thought I’d speak to Bangalore’s most famous and best loved child psychiatrist Professor Shekhar Seshadri, who has done wonders for the country’s vulnerable children at India’s premier mental health institute NIMHANS. The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences.
Dr Seshadri has over 35 years of experience dealing with children and young adults, and if there’s anyone in Bangalore who can figure out how to nip it in the bud… if that’s possible… it’s him.
I ask him how we can catch them young and teach them well.