“Who Let The Dogs Out?”: Karnataka High Court Stays Assault FIR Over Altercation After Dog Attempts To Bite Neighbour

The Karnataka High Court on Saturday (February 21) stayed probe in an FIR registered against a group of persons booked for assaulting their neighbour over an altercation after the dog of one of the accused's persons attempted to bite the neighbour. 

The court was hearing a plea by seven petitioners seeking quashing of an FIR registered for offences under BNS Sections 115(1)(voluntarily causing hurt), 118(1)(Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 352(intentional insults designed to provoke a breach of peace), 291(negligent conduct with respect to animals), 189(2) (unlawful assembly) and 190(common object).

In the interim the petition sought a stay on the investigation.

During the hearing, Justice M Nagaprasanna orally asked, "Which dog?...Who let the dogs out?". 

The court noted that the second respondent, who is the complainant and the neighbour of the accused persons, was travelling on his scooter when the dog belonging to accused no.1 is stated to have chased the complainant and made an attempt to bite him. 

The court in its order said, "The dog did not bite him but the altercation resulted in the petitioners assaulting the complainant. Therefore offence under Section 115 and 118 (BNS) have sprung. The counsel for petitioners submits that the complainant also wanted to settle the matter but without the signature of advocate the settlement did not come through. In that light till the appearance of the complainant, there shall be an interim order of stay of all proceedings qua these petitioners".

"List the matter on March 12 subject to the condition that the petitioners would not let the dog out," the court added. 

The matter is listed on March 12. 

Case title: MR. C MUNIKRISHNA v/s  THE STATE OF KARNATAKA

 CRL.P 1147/2026