Even Accidental Dog Attacks on Neighbors Constitute a Crime: Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday emphasized that if a pet dog attacks a neighbor, even unintentionally, it amounts to a criminal offense. The Court expressed concern over the poor implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program and stressed the critical roles of Gram Panchayats, Municipal Councils, and Municipal Corporations in managing stray and domestic animal populations.

During the hearing on stray dog issues, the bench listened to arguments from senior advocates C.U. Singh, Krishnan Venugopal, Dhruv Mehta, Gopal Sankarnarayanan, Shyam Dikhan, Siddharth Luthra, and Karuna Nandi. The proceedings will continue on Friday.

Concerns Raised by Amicus Curiae
Senior Advocate Gaurav Agrawal, appearing as amicus curiae, informed the bench that four states had submitted compliance affidavits earlier this week. He highlighted the challenges posed by rodent infestations in cities like Delhi, and noted issues with monkeys in the national capital. He cautioned that sudden removal of dogs could exacerbate rodent populations, leading to unintended consequences.

Justice Mehta, in a lighter vein, remarked: “Dogs and cats are natural enemies; cats hunt rats. Perhaps we should encourage more cats.”

Pet Dog Attack Guidelines
Advocate Singh clarified that they were not questioning the Court’s orders but requested a review and necessary modifications. He suggested that dog populations should be managed through sterilization, vaccination, and re-release in the same area, emphasizing humane and effective control measures. The bench also asked for clarification on how many dogs should be allowed in hospital corridors, wards, and near patient beds, indicating the need for practical regulations.

Weak Implementation of ABC Programs
The Court was informed that Karnataka, despite having 96 ABC centers, has failed to comply with the guidelines. Justice Nath observed that municipal authorities had not made serious efforts in this direction. The bench stressed that local bodies play a crucial role in managing stray dog populations.

IIT Delhi Model Highlighted
The ABC model implemented at IIT Delhi was cited as a success story. Through aggressive sterilization and vaccination programs, no cases of rabies have been reported in the past three years. The Court was informed that microchipping and geo-tagging have significantly improved monitoring of dog populations, making the program more effective.