Stray Dogs Menace: Karnataka High Court Seeks State's Response On Implementation Of Animal Birth Control Rules

A division bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Ashok S Kinagi while issuing the notice, directed the State government to file its statement of objections in ten days time. The direction was given while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Advocate Ramesh Naik L.

In his petition, Naik stated that Rule 6 and 7 of the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, prescribes the methodology for Street/Stray dog population management, ensuring rabies eradication and reduction in man-dog conflict based on scientific studies and recommendations of the World Health Organisation. However, inaction on the part of state authorities in discharging their mandatory duty towards Street/ Stray dogs resulted in the violation of aforesaid provisions of the said Rule.

The plea also cites two unfortunate incidents related to Street/Stray dogs. One being a case of Street/Stray dogs attack on 4 year old baby girl, who died, in Athani Taluk of Belagavi District and other being a case of Adi Narayana, grand-son of politician-businessman Adi Keshavalu, alleged to have ran his Audi car over Street/Stray dog sleeping on a pavement in Jayanagara area of Bangalore.

"As times move on, man becomes more concerned about his security. Lot of emphasis and stress has been laid that due to Street/Stray dogs, there has been threat to life, health, movement of human beings. On the other hand, when any incident of human-dogs conflict occurs and complaints being made to concerned authorities, Street/Stray dogs are being annihilated without any justifiable reasons," the plea states.

The plea also relies on the Delhi High Court's directions in Dr. Maya D. Chablani Vs Smt Radha Mittal & Ors. and Urvashi Vashist and Ors Vs RWA & Ors. wherein it was directed that the Resident Welfare Associations(RWAs) and the feeders with the help of AWBI representatives will identify the spot for feeding of Street/Stray dogs in the colony.

The plea prays for issuance of directions to the state authorities to carry out their obligations as prescribed in Rule 6 and 7 of the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 time to time, within the jurisdiction of all local bodies in the State of Karnataka

Case Title: RAMESH NAIK L v STATE OF KARNATAKA

Case No: WP 10674/2022