The Kannur District Panchayat in Kerala has recently informed the Supreme Court through an affidavit that
“an estimated 30 stray dog bites are being reported in Kannur district everyday.” Despite their best efforts, the Panchayat conveyed that incidents of stray dog attacks, bites, and related road accidents are “increasing day by day.”
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the Panchayat disclosed that between January 2021 and July 2023,
“465 children in Kannur were injured in stray dog attacks and approached government hospitals for treatment”
with many sustaining severe injuries. The affidavit also cited the tragic incident of an 11-year-old autistic child named Nihal who was
“mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs at Kannur in June this year.”
Another similar incident in Kottayam District resulted in the death of a 12-year-old. Additionally, the Panchayat pointed to the recent death of a 46-year-old manual laborer named Surendran, who passed away at Govt. Medical College, Kannur due to Rabies on “7th July 2023.”
Despite initiating four Animal Birth Control centers, the Panchayat revealed that three of these centers have become defunct due to
“public outrage and a lack of funds.”
Addressing the dire situation, the Panchayat stated that
“killing stray dogs ‘in some humane way’ is the only solution to the problem.”
They also suggested alternative measures such as castration and the use of chemicals (predacides) to manage the dog population.
In a joint written submission to the Supreme Court by the Kannur Panchayat and the Calicut Municipal Corporation, they proposed the formation of a committee to oversee decisions related to the seizure and euthanizing of stray dogs. This committee should not rest solely with the Secretary of the Panchayath or Municipality but should comprise
“1) Chief of the Local Authority 2) Representative from the Public Health Department of the Local Authority and 3) A representative from an Animal Welfare organization.”
The submission further argued that the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules
“do not control or dilute the power of municipal authorities to destroy stray dogs.”
They emphasized that
“There is no conflict between the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 Act with the powers to destroy stray dogs under Panchayat Raj Act or Municipality Act.”
This application was filed in response to a 2015 Kerala High Court judgment, which directed local authorities to exercise powers under the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The Kerala Government had previously made a similar plea to the Supreme Court.
Furthermore, the Child’s Rights Commission submitted a plea to the Supreme Court, stating 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 up to 19th June, 2023.”
They also recommended the culling or confinement of stray dogs to address the escalating human-dog conflict.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter today.
Case Title: Animal Welfare Board of India V. People For Elimination of Stray Troubles C.A. No. 5988/2019.
