Lawyer’s appearance with an injured arm before the Supreme Court ignites discussion over growing street dog menace

Today, the Supreme Court of India expressed concern about the growing ‘street dog menace’ on humans after a lawyer (Advocate Kunal Chatterjee) appeared with an injured arm before the Court. The discussion ignited after the bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice Manoj Misra, and Justice PS Narasimha noticed an injury on the lawyer’s arm. The bench inquired for the same and came to know that the counsel was attacked by street dogs on his way to the Supreme Court. 

After noticing the counsel’s injured hand, CJI asked “What happened?” Advocate Chatterjee replied, “Five dogs hounded me.” The CJI further asked “In the neighborhood?” to which the advocate replied with an affirmation. CJI Chandrachud asked him, “Do you need any medical attention? I can ask the registry to take you right now.” Following this, Justice Narasimha said, “This is becoming a menace.” Following this, the CJI shared his own experience stating “My law clerk was parking his car and was also attacked.” 

Along with this, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta raised the seriousness of the matter mentioning a recent case of Uttar Pradesh. He said “There was a case in UP. A boy was bitten by a dog. He got rabies and he was seen in the lap of his father dying. The doctor and the father were completely helpless.” In this concern, Senior Advocate Vijay Hansaria urged the CJI to take suo motu action so as to protect the citizens from the street dog menace. To this, CJI replied, “We will see what can be done.”