'Humans & Animals Should Co-Exist': Kerala High Court To Constitute Interim Committee To Curb Stray Dog Attacks

The Kerala High Court on Monday (July 28) accepted State government's suggestion for the formation of an interim committee by the high court to look into and curb stray dog attacks in the State. The court further directed the State government to file an affidavit on the number of stray dog attacks in the State for the last year including the compensation paid to the victims.Justice C S Dias was hearing the matter relating to Stray dog attacks in the State. During the hearing the high court orally observed, “We have to find a solution to the problem. Both humans and animals should co-exist.” The court observed that exhaustive guidelines have been laid down on this issue from time to time, but the number of stray dogs is increasing day by day. It urged that sterilisation and vaccinations must be done by the concerned authorities regularly.The Court orally observed, “If a human attacks an animal it is an offence; similarly, when an animal attacks the human the custodian is charged with an offence, and for the Stray dogs the Local Self Government Department can be considered as the custodian”. The State has suggested the Constitution of a Committee consisting Secretary DLSA, District Medical Officer and Joint Director of LSGD for dealing with the issue. While accepting the suggestion by the State for the constitution of an Interim Committee by the High Court, the Court has urged the State to come out with legislation for a permanent body for dealing with the issue. When the petitioners brought in the scope of Euthanasia in this issue, the court remarked, “Euthanasia is not a remedy. Euthanasia is allowed only when they are terminally ill.”While making observations on the payment of compensation for the victims of stray dog attacks, the Court proposed whether stray dog attacks can be brought in the ambit of Disaster Management Act. The Court has directed the concerned authorities and the State to file an affidavit on the Statistics on the number of stray dog attacks in the State in the last year. The Affidavit should include the number of deaths and the compensation paid for the victims. Background The writ was filed by a law student, seeking implementation of Animal Birth Control Rules against the multiple incidents of stray dog attack. The matter was placed along with other writs relating to stray dog attacks in the State. The case is posted after 10 days for the affidavit.Also Read 'Every Day Hundreds Of Dog Bites': Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance Of Report On Stray Dogs Attacking Kids In DelhiCase Title - Keerthana Sarin v State of Kerala and Connected CasesCase No - WP(C) 21206/ 2025 and connected casesAdditional Advocate General of the State was present.Click Here To Read/ Download Order

'Humans & Animals Should Co-Exist': Kerala High Court To Constitute Interim Committee To Curb Stray Dog Attacks

Anamika MJ

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