Overview
- The court said it is likely to fix heavy compensation on state governments for every dog-bite injury or death, particularly involving children or the elderly.
- Justices indicated feeders could be held legally liable for attacks and urged those who feed strays to take them home rather than leave them to roam.
- The bench castigated the Union and states for prolonged non-implementation of Animal Birth Control rules and said it will take authorities to task.
- Monitoring its November 7 directive, the court reaffirmed removal of strays from schools, hospitals, transport hubs and similar premises to shelters after sterilisation and vaccination, with no re-release to the same spot.
- Counsel sought extensions to airports and wildlife zones, including concerns over feral dogs in Ladakh, as the court noted field clashes with ‘dog lovers’ and directed harassment complaints be pursued through FIRs, with further hearings later in January.