Shivangi Prakash-
Published on August 10, 2021, at 12:23 IST
During the hearing of the Suo-moto petition initiated after a dog was brutally slain by three teenagers in Kerala, the Kerala High Court asked the State to take immediate efforts to establish designated feeding spaces, particularly for community dogs in the vicinity.
A Division Bench of Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice P Gopinath directed so while observing that “Dogs only become aggressive when they are hungry or thirsty. They are just looking for food and water. If we can identify feeding spaces for them, half the problem will be solved.”
Last week, the matter became more difficult and was resumed today.
While addressing the issue of animal welfare in the State, the Bench stated that setting up dog feeding centers would ensure that dogs do not harm colony residents while also removing their fear of canines.
Meanwhile, amicus curiae Advocate Suresh Menon briefed the Bench that there were only seven animal welfare organizations and four private shelters registered with the AWBI in the State at the time.
According to his submission, the Bench agreed that only injured or sick dogs should be held in shelters for treatment and care, while the rest should be sterilized and released.
The Court was informed that, in addition to the registered shelters, there were 17 unregistered shelters managed by private individuals at their homes.
Nonetheless, it was claimed that local citizens and municipal officials harassed these private shelters. To this, the Court responded, “While altruism may be their motive and it is commendable, we also have to look into whether these private shelters are suitable to accommodate community dogs. A balance has to be struck.”
For the time being, the Bench proposed capturing all of the communal canines in Thrikkakkara and relocating them to a private animal shelter or the local body’s cattle shelter.
However, it was stressed that the Municipality would be responsible for any incidental costs incurred by these private entities in doing so. As a result, the Court instructed the State and Municipality to take steps to establish feeding centers and rehabilitate dogs in private shelters.
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