The Supreme Court said that if a child or an elderly person dies due to a dog bite, the state government will have to take responsibility and pay substantial compensation.
कुत्तों के काटने पर राज्य सरकार को देना होगा मुआवजा, डॉग लवर्स की जिम्मेदारी होगी तय: सुप्रीम कोर्ट
The Supreme Court has taken a tough stance on the increasing number of stray dog attacks across the country. During the hearing on Tuesday, the court clearly stated that if dog bites result in death or serious injury to children or the elderly, state governments will be held directly responsible. The court also indicated that governments could face heavy compensation in such cases.
“Nothing was done, so the situation worsened”
During the hearing, Justice Vikram Nath sharply criticized the administration’s inaction. He said that the problem has worsened “a thousandfold” due to the negligence of officials. According to the court, if concrete steps had been taken in time, the situation would not have been so dire.
Justice Nath said that in every case where children or the elderly are injured or killed due to dog bites, the state government will be held accountable. He also added that the role and responsibility of those who feed street dogs should also be determined.
“If you have a hobby, take them home”
The court’s comment did not stop there. Justice Vikram Nath stated categorically that if someone is so fond of dogs, they should keep them at home. Leaving them on the streets, creating situations where they threaten or bite the public, is unacceptable. The court acknowledged that this issue of public safety should be resolved through concrete policy and administrative action, not emotions.
Emotions vs. Ground Reality
This comment came when senior lawyer Menaka Guruswamy was arguing on behalf of two animal welfare trusts. She described the issue as emotional and said that the solution should be humane. Justice Sandeep Mehta remarked that so far, emotions have been shown only for the dogs. In response, Guruswamy said that he was equally concerned about the safety of humans.
Displeasure over turning the courtroom into a “public forum”
During the hearing, the court also made it clear that it wanted concrete orders, not lengthy debates. Justice Nath said that everyone was repeating the same thing, whereas now the administration needed to be held accountable so that a process could be initiated. Justice Mehta even said that the courtroom has been turned into a public forum, even though it is a place for judicial proceedings.
Sterilization is the right way
Maneka Guruswamy also stated before the court that killing dogs is not the solution. According to her, sterilization is the only effective and humane method. She claimed that central government funds are not being used properly and that the Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules are not limited to birth control but also prohibit unnecessary confinement of animals.
Citing parliamentary debates, Guruswamy said that the dog culling policy has already been proven a failure and that no argument can justify cruelty or extermination.
Now, the focus is on the order
The Supreme Court’s observations make it clear that the court intends to provide concrete guidelines, not merely debate, on this serious social problem. Balancing the increasing number of street dog attacks, the administration’s laxity, and the safety of the public, the court’s next order is considered crucial. Now it remains to be seen how seriously the state governments take this warning and what concrete steps are taken at the ground level.
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