The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) pertaining to the menace of dogs, particularly, those having rabies.
The PIL has been filed by the law students of Central University of Kashmir. Based on data collected from different sources, it is stated that about 90,000 stray dogs are roaming in Srinagar city itself and some children have died after being attacked by stray dogs at different places in and around Srinagar City.
It is also stated the authorities have not taken steps despite the directions passed by the High Court in PIL No. 361/2011 clubbed with PIL No. 12/2018 from time to time dealing with the dog menace in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is also stated that there is no awareness made to the general public with regard to dog bites and anti-rabies management.
The second aspect is the issue of animal birth control and setting up of Anti-rabies Centres.
The third aspect which has been highlighted is the action plan of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation for containing the menace of stray dogs and particularly dog bites as also the spread of rabies.
It is stated that the respondents have failed in their duty in so far as creation of awareness is concerned, it has been submitted that no public advisories have been issued in local newspapers indicating the Dos and Don’ts in order to avoid dog bites and also to immediately contact the officers of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, if a dog with abnormal or aggressive behaviour is biting any person(s), no helpline numbers have been indicated so as to deal with the issue of countering the aggressive dogs and how the people should take care as not to be exposed to such dogs.
It is further averred that there are hardly any animal birth control and anti-rabies centres in and around the Srinagar City.
The Division Bench of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice Mohd Akram Chowdhary after hearing the students and examined the material placed on record, examined the order passed by the High Court in PIL No. 361/2011 clubbed with PIL No. 12/2018 on 12.02.2022, in terms whereof the Public Interest Litigation pertaining to dog menace, stands disposed of with direction to all the authorities to ensure that every possible step is taken with regard to redressal of the grievance projected in the PIL, by curbing the dog menace in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The High Court therefore issued notice to the Respondents and passed following directions:-
i. Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, shall submit the details of number of stray dogs available in the City of Srinagar. While submitting such numbers, it shall be reported as to what steps are taken about the aspect of creation of awareness with regard to dog bites and anti-rabies management.
ii. Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, shall submit the details about the issue of animal birth control and setting up of Anti-rabies Centres. He shall submit the action plan of the Corporation for containing the menace of stray dogs and particularly dog bites as also the spread of rabies. It shall be indicated in the status report as to whether public advisories have been issued in Print and Electronic Media, indicating the Dos and Don’ts, in order to avoid dog bites.
iii. Commissioner, SMC, shall mention number of available animal birth control and Ant-rabies Centres and how many sterilization are undertaken on each working day. He shall also submit the action plan about the setting up of animal birth control and Antirabies Centres.
iv. The Commissioner, SMC, shall ensure that the produce of energy rich garbage is controlled mainly contributed by the poultry waste which is energy rich.
v. Principal Secretary to the Government, Health and Medical Education Department is directed to file an affidavit, indicating the availability of Anti-rabies vaccines and human rabies immunoglobulin injections in all the dispensaries and hospitals throughout the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
vi. Respondents shall also indicate the steps taken for dealing with the complaints filed by the various persons/social activists/victims about the dog bites.
The matter is listed on August 9, 2022 for further hearing.