Noida residents move SC over an ‘alarming’ rise in dog bite cases

Noida residents move SC over an ‘alarming’ rise in dog bite cases

Snehil.Sinha@timesgroup.com

Noida:24.09.2021

A residents’ group from Noida has moved the Supreme Court seeking its intervention in curbing dog bite cases in the city after the Allahabad high court refused to hear their appeal.

The public interest litigation (PIL), filed by a group of eight women residents from Noida’s Sector 137, states that despite the animal birth control programme, started by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) across the country, there has been “an alarming increase in the population of strays and a distressing rise in dog attacks on people”.

The plea also contends that the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2001, violates Article 21 (right to life) of the Indian Constitution. There are several laws for the protection of animals, including the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,1960 and Animal Birth Control Rules, 2001, the petitioners say. However, none of these laws states anything clearly regarding dog bite cases.

“This is a huge issue in a place like Noida where thousands of people live in gated societies. While we need to protect animals, people also need to feel safe within the premises of their homes. Additionally, there is no mention in any law about who would be responsible for the trauma and cost of treatment in dog bite incidents,” Shashank Shukla, the counsel representing the residents’ group in the case, told TOI.

He added that there should also be a specific mechanism in place with the power given to state authorities to take decisions in dog bite cases. “In cities like Noida, we will also suggest that future town planning should involve designated feeding points for stray animals so that the safety of people and animals is taken care of,” Shukla said.

Dr Sujit Kumar Dutta, AWBI secretary, declined to comment. Chetna Joshi, AWBI-nominated member to the Municipal Corporation Monitoring and Implementation Committee, Haryana, however, said, “These are frivolous complaints filed by intolerant people. The court has already given relevant orders acknowledging the intolerance and the resulting failure to implement the ABC Rules 2001 in India by the Centre and states as well as the citizens.”

COUNSEL SAYS

In cities like Noida, we will also suggest that future town planning should involve designated feeding points for stray animals