Stray Dogs Becoming Menace For Pedestrians, Feeding Them Needs To Be Looked At: Delhi High Court Observes Orally

The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice on a father's plea seeking compensation of Rs. 50 lakhs for the death of his 18 months old daughter who was allegedly mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs in city's Tughlaq Lane area.

Justice Subramonium Prasad sought response of the Delhi Government, Delhi Police and North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) and listed the matter for hearing on March 13.

During the hearing, the court remarked that the problem is that there are people coming in vans and feeding the dogs, which is why the dogs have become “too territorial and attack anyone who comes there.”

“They are becoming a menace for pedestrians and feeding stray dogs is something people need to look at,” the court added.

The plea seeks a direction on the authorities to ensure that the laws and relevant Rules issued by the Central Government are implemented to avoid any similar tragic incident which leads to death due to dog bite.

The father has also sought a direction on the authorities to capture and treat the violent and ferocious dogs as per the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.

He has further sought a direction upon the Delhi Police to conduct proper investigation against the Officers-in-Charge responsible for capturing and treating ferocious dogs as per law and take appropriate actions against the wrongdoers.

The father is a resident of Dhobi Ghat in Tuglak Lane area and belongs to economically marginalised society. He has alleged that the authorities have, in the past, ignored the concerns being raised by him and the neighbours and have failed to keep the public streets free and safe from the menace of stray animals, particularly the mad, aggressive and violent dogs.

“That one of the major reasons of dog menace is non-sterilization which is the reason for their unregulated population. Further non- vaccination of these dogs is another reason that causes serious ramifications due to dog bites which can lead to serious health hazards such as rabies. Keeping the public streets free and safe from the menace of stray animals, particularly the violent and mad dogs is the primary duty of the municipal body of a locality,” the plea states.

It adds that the NDMC, despite repeated complaints, has not taken the requisite and necessary steps to control the situation by capturing and treating the aggressive and violent dogs, which has resulted in the death of the petitioner's 18 months old daughter.

Title: Rahul Kanaujiya v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Ors.