A writ petition was filed in the Kerala High Court on Monday seeking a directive to the Kochi Corporation to get rid of the stray dog menace from the streets and public places under the Corporation.
The petition was filed by Thampi Subramanian, secretary, Human Rights Protection Forum, Kochi. The petitioner also sought a directive to the superintendent, General Hospital, Ernakulam, to keep sufficient quantities of anti-rabies vaccines for treatment of dog-bite cases free of cost.
According to the petitioner, the stray dog menace was on the increase in the corporation area. There were incidents of stray dogs biting school children and pedestrians. The petitioner had submitted several representations before the corporation to take action in accordance with the Kerala Municipalities Act to abate the menace. The petitioner pointed out that section 438 of the Act empowered the Corporation to seize stray dogs in the area. The provision of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 had also provided for tackling the menace. Section 11(3) (b) of the Act enabled the civic body to take steps for killing of stray dogs.
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The inaction on the part of the corporation warranted interference from the court, petitioner submitted.
The petitioner also pointed out that “the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution contemplates living a dignified life without the fear of stray dog biting”.
When placed against the animal rights, “the human’s right will prevail over animal rights”, the petitioner said. It was also pointed out that a Division Bench had ruled in 2006 that “the right to live was fundamental right and it shall take precedence over dog rules”.
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Mr. Thampi said that the victims of the stray dog bites were often taken to the government hospital for the treatment. However, they were forced to buy the anti-rabies from private medical shops or hospitals as the government hospital did not have anti-rabies vaccines.