A man in a dog suit, a peculiar protest in Madhya Pradesh Collectorate office

On Monday, a man wearing a costume resembling a large dog entered the Khandwa Collectorate in Madhya Pradesh, disrupting an otherwise regular public hearing. The unusual protest was in response to the city's growing stray dog issue, with demonstrators alleging that the municipal corporation had overcharged for dog sterilization procedures, even as thousands continued to suffer dog bites.

During the public hearing before Khandwa officials, protesters claimed that despite spending Rs 40 lakh on sterilization, the stray dog population remained uncontrolled, and incidents involving dogs persisted, particularly affecting children and pedestrians. Khandwa Additional Collector Kashi Ram Badole acknowledged receiving a complaint alleging a Rs 40 lakh bill for sterilization when no such procedures had taken place.

He stated that the administration had reported this matter to the Municipal Commissioner and that appropriate action would be taken if the allegations were proven true.

Mullu Rathore, the Leader of Opposition in the Khandwa Municipal Corporation, echoed the protesters' concerns. He reported that the complaint alleged 13,225 dog bite victims and criticized the expenditure of the civic body, stating that it had not effectively tackled the issue. Rathore also alleged that there had been fraudulent activities, as informed by the company that won the sterilization tender.

He called for an investigation and strict action against those responsible, expressing that the presence of stray dogs was becoming problematic at night, causing fear among children as they traveled to school.