After Stray Dogs Maul Child To Death, Kerala Local Body Moves Supreme Court Seeking To Euthanise Rabid Dogs

The district panchayat of Kannur has filed an application in the Supreme Court seeking the euthanising of suspected rabid dogs/extremely dangerous dogs in a humane manner in light of the increased violent attacks by stray dogs in the district of Kannur.

The application highlights that a 11-year-old autistic child was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs at Kannur on June 11, 2023 and that a similar incident had happened last year in the Kottayam District of Kerala where a minor aged 12 years had also died due to stray dog attack. Stating that a large numbers of dog bite incidents have been reported across the District especially against children, the application underlines–

"It is pertinent to mention that 5794 stray dogs attacks were reported in 2019, 3951 cases in 2020, 7927 cases in 2021, 11776 cases were reported in 2022 and 6276 cases are reported upto 19th June, 2023 in Kannur District itself. It is further submitted that there are approximately 28000 stray dogs in the limits of the Applicant herein."

The Panchayat has stated that despite making every effort to control the issue of stray dogs within the local limits, the incidents of stray dog attacks, bites, and road accidents due to dog collision are increasing day by day within the District Panchayat area as well as throughout the state.

Further, the application also argues that 65 ducks and a large number of domestic animals have been killed by the violent stray dogs recently in the State.

Accordingly, the Panchayat has prayed the Supreme Court to direct euthanising of "suspected rabid dogs/extremely dangerous dogs in a humane manner." The application has been moved through Advocate-on-Record Biju P Raman.

The interlocutory application has been filed in a civil appeal filed challenging a Kerala High Court judgment of 2015. Last year, the Kerala Government had also made a similar request before the Supreme Court.