Kochi: The High Court has directed that the government has an obligation to protect people from aggressive dogs and that such dogs should be identified and removed from public places. The division bench comprising justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and P. Gopinath asked the government to submit a report by tomorrow specifying the remedial measures proposed by the government.
The court also directed the state police chief to issue a circular asking people to refrain from harming stray dogs by taking the law into their hands. The amicus curiae brought to the attention of the court that there are incidents of illegal killing of dogs. In the incident of beating of a pet dog named Bruno in Thiruvananthapuram Adilathura, the court had registered a case on its own initiative. The court was holding a special sitting in this case in view of the increase in stray dog attacks across the state.
When Additional Advocate General Ashok M. Cherian informed that the government had taken some decisions, the court set a time limit for informing them. Government measures should also be informed in the previous orders to make the sterilization of stray dogs effective. The police chief’s circular against people taking action should also be included in the report. The case will be heard again tomorrow.
What is the action in the 3 suggestions?
The High Court asked the government about the steps taken on the earlier orders to make the sterilization of stray dogs effective. Instructions given by the Court:
∙ The Animal Welfare Board should evaluate the sterilization facilities in the local self-government bodies and submit a report.
∙ List of veterinary hospitals with 24 hour service and phone number should be published on Animal Welfare Board website.
∙ Places to rehabilitate stray dogs should be found in Thrikkakara Municipality.
English Summary: High Court on Stray Dogs nuisance