Actress Nivetha Pethuraj has found herself at the center of a heated controversy following her recent comments about dog bites at a public awareness rally in Chennai. Known for her work across Tamil and Telugu cinema, Nivetha participated in the event to promote the welfare and protection of street dogs. However, her remarks, which suggested that people should not make a big deal out of a dog bite, sparked swift and widespread criticism across social media and political circles.

While addressing the gathering, Nivetha spoke about the fear surrounding dog bites and the cruelty faced by animals. She stated that many incidents of animal abuse occur unnoticed and that the public must stop overreacting to dog bites. She acknowledged that rabies is indeed a serious health concern, but urged people to focus on real solutions rather than fearmongering. According to her, killing street dogs is not the answer. Instead, she stated that vaccination programs and sterilisation under the Animal Birth Control initiative are the only long-term solutions. Despite her intention to promote awareness, her statement that dog bites are not a serious matter was heavily criticized by many, especially those advocating for strict control of street dog populations.

Soon after her comments went viral, several political leaders and online users condemned Nivetha for downplaying the risks associated with dog bites. Many argued that her remarks were insensitive, especially at a time when public demand for addressing street dog attacks is high. The growing criticism reached the actress, prompting her to respond with a sharp remark about the mob mentality she sees in public debates. She wrote that political leaders deserve credit for dealing with such crowd behaviour and stated that irresponsible citizens, not animals, are the real problem. Her response has created even more discussion online, with supporters defending her stance on animal welfare and others accusing her of dismissing public safety concerns. As debates continue to escalate, Nivetha’s comments remain a trending topic across social media and news platforms.