**Title:** Kerala High Court Addresses Rising Stray Dog Attacks
**Meta Description:** The Kerala High Court raises concerns over increasing stray dog attacks, urging immediate action and accountability from local authorities.
**URL Slug:** kerala-high-court-stray-dog-attacks
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**Kerala High Court Addresses Rising Stray Dog Attacks**
The Kerala High Court has voiced significant concern regarding the alarming rise in stray dog attacks across the state. This issue came to light during the hearing of a writ petition filed by a law student who suffered a dog bite. The petitioner urged the court to enforce the Animal Birth Control Rules in response to the escalating incidents of attacks.
During the proceedings, the court directed pointed comments towards an animal rights advocate who opposed the petition. The court challenged the individual to propose viable solutions to the ongoing crisis, stating, “We will give you all stray dogs; you can take care of them.” The bench emphasized that true understanding of the issue comes only after experiencing a dog bite or losing a loved one to such an incident. The court acknowledged that while animals possess legal rights, human rights take precedence.
The court expressed alarm over reports of vaccinated children succumbing to rabies, underscoring the urgent need for practical solutions. “Stray dog attacks should be treated similarly to wild animal attacks. We must find a resolution that allows for coexistence between humans and animals,” the court remarked.
Justice CS Dias, leading a single bench, highlighted the necessity of assigning responsibility for dog attacks. He noted that just as a human attacking an animal is an offense, so too should a dog attacking a human result in accountability for the animal’s custodian. The court specified that if dogs attack humans, the Secretary of the Gram Panchayat, responsible for managing the dogs, should be held liable. However, the court clarified that euthanasia is not a viable solution.
In a proactive move, the Kerala High Court accepted the state government’s proposal to establish an interim committee, supervised by the court, to address the issue. The court also urged the state to develop legislation for a permanent body dedicated to managing stray dog attacks.
Additionally, the court instructed the Director General of Police to report the number of First Information Reports (FIRs) filed concerning such attacks over the past year. The Chief Secretary has been tasked with submitting an affidavit detailing the number of fatalities and compensation awarded to victims.
The case is scheduled for further hearing on August 4, as the court continues to seek effective measures to tackle the growing problem of stray dog attacks in Kerala.
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**FAQ**
**What actions is the Kerala High Court taking regarding stray dog attacks?**
The Kerala High Court is urging the implementation of Animal Birth Control Rules, establishing an interim committee to address the issue, and holding local authorities accountable for dog attacks.
