Actor Nivetha Pethuraj has found herself at the centre of a heated debate after her remarks at a pro-street dog rally in Chennai drew sharp criticism online. Speaking at the event on Sunday, the actor questioned how incidents involving stray dogs are reported, suggesting that the narrative often amplifies fear instead of focusing on solutions.
While acknowledging the gravity of rabies and dog bites, she argued that the conversation is being skewed. “We shouldn’t allow fear to dictate the narrative,” she said, adding that isolated cases of dog attacks are sometimes blown out of proportion. She urged the media to shift its approach: “Awareness, compassion and practical measures — like vaccination and sterilisation — need more attention.”
Nivetha further emphasised that calls for violence against animals are misguided. “If one person commits a wrong, we don’t generalise. The same principle should apply to animals,” she said. She encouraged news outlets to highlight ongoing solution-based efforts, such as sterilisation drives, so the public gets a more balanced understanding.
Her comments, however, didn’t sit well with many social media users. Critics labelled the actor’s views as “privileged”, accusing her of downplaying the risks faced by people who navigate streets with aggressive strays on a daily basis. Several pointed out that Dubai, where she spent much of her life, enforces a strict no-stray policy, making her perspective out of touch with local realities.
Amid the backlash, Nivetha responded by condemning what she described as knee-jerk reactions and online hostility. In a post addressing her detractors, she wrote that the issue lies not with animals but with “irresponsible civilians”, calling out what she termed a “mob mentality” in the discourse.
The debate continues to intensify online, reflecting the deeply polarising nature of discussions around street dog safety and animal welfare.
On the film front, Nivetha Pethuraj was last seen alongside Rakul Preet Singh, Vishwak Sen, Reba Monica John, Manjima Mohan and Megha Akash in Boo, helmed by Vijay in 2023. She was also seen in Paruvu, the ZEE5 series.
