New Delhi: The Supreme Court said on Tuesday that it may impose “heavy compensation” on states for every dog bite and every death caused by stray dogs, and also held dog feeders accountable for attacks resulting in serious or “lifelong” consequences.
Pulling up states and Union territories for failing to implement statutory rules, a bench of justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria observed that decades of inaction had resulted in the stray dog problem multiplying “a thousand times, a zillion times”.
“For every dog bite, for every death, we are likely to fix heavy compensation to be paid by states for not making the requisite arrangements and not doing anything. And we will also fix liability on dog feeders. You take them to your house, keep them. Why should they be allowed everywhere… roam around, loitering, frightening people, biting and chasing? Remember that the impact of a dog bite is lifelong,” the top court said on the fourth day of hearing in the proceedings on stray dog management.
The three-member bench questioned why stray dogs should be allowed to roam freely in all areas, and remarked that those feeding them should take responsibility by keeping the animals within their homes or premises.
The bench raised the issue of accountability.
“Who should be made responsible when a nine-year-old child is killed by dogs, who are fed by a particular organisation? Should the organisation not be made liable for damages?” the bench asked.
The bench voiced frustration over the pace and nature of arguments, noting that the proceedings have begun to resemble a public debate rather than a judicial hearing.
“What started in the 1950s, we can continue now and take it to a logical conclusion by taking authorities to task and ensuring that concrete measures are taken. Nobody is allowing us to pass orders, and everyone is simply arguing. We are on the fourth day, and arguments are not concluding,” the bench said in response to senior counsel Menaka Guriswamy’s submissions. Guriswamy read out parliamentary debates from 1957 on the stray dog management.
The top court stepped in on stray dog management following concerns over rising dog bite incidents and persistent non-compliance by municipal authorities with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.
“We are not saying the ABC Rules are bad or that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act should go. We want the implementation of statutory provisions. But allow us to work and proceed further,” the court said.
The hearing will continue on January 15.
