Plea To Euthanise Dangerous Dogs In Kerala : Supreme Court To Hear On July 12
The Supreme Court has listed on July 12, 2023 the interlocutory application (IA) filed by the district panchayat of Kannur seeking permission to euthanise suspected rabid dogs/extremely dangerous dogs in light of the increased violent attacks by stray dogs in the district of Kannur.The application was filed after an 11-year-old autistic child was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs at...
The Supreme Court has listed on July 12, 2023 the interlocutory application (IA) filed by the district panchayat of Kannur seeking permission to euthanise suspected rabid dogs/extremely dangerous dogs in light of the increased violent attacks by stray dogs in the district of Kannur.
The application was filed after an 11-year-old autistic child was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs at Kannur on June 11, 2023. The application also highlighted 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.
The IA was mentioned before a vacation bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice MM Sundresh. Although the counsel sought permission to play the video of the stray dogs attacking the child, the bench refused. The bench said that it has read the application and viewing the video was not necessary.
"On the oral request of the counsel, the matter has been taken on board on the date fixed, that is, 12 July. Counter affidavit to be filed by 7 July", the bench ordered.
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 IA 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.
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.