Calling dogs the closest non-human companions to people, Rajya Sabha MP and author Sudha Murty stressed that they require affection more than anything else.
Author and Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty has appealed to Bengaluru residents to show compassion towards street dogs, urging citizens to treat them with dignity and care. Speaking at a podcast hosted by the Bengaluru Police, Murty—who has written several books about her pet dog Gopi in seven languages—said that animals are “part of our family” and deserve kindness, not cruelty.
Murty noted that her pet Gopi has become a cultural fixture in Bengaluru, drawing crowds during her appearances. “He has more fan following than me,” she said. “When I go to Delhi, people shout ‘Modi! Modi!’, but in Bengaluru they call, ‘Gopi! Gopi!’ Children send him shawls in winter, and he was even awarded during Mysuru Dasara.”
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Gopi also accompanies her to work, she added, describing him as a constant companion.
Murty’s message: Love them, feed them, sterilise them